City Comparison
Kenner vs New Orleans
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kenner scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kenner
New Orleans
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kenner is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in New Orleans.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kenner's average rent is
36% lower than New Orleans's.
| Metric | Kenner | New Orleans | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,048 | $1,650 | -36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $185 | -3% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,978 | $2,610 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kenner offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kenner delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kenner is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in New Orleans.
| Metric | Kenner | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 63,542 idx |
| Household Income | $64,020 | $56,631 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.10000000000001°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kenner sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kenner | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.30°F | 71.40°F |
| Summer High | 88.80°F | 89.00°F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | 49.00°F |
| Rainfall | 53.20 in | 53.40 in |
| Snowfall | 4.50 in | 4.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | 217 |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 76.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
New Orleans scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Orleans leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kenner | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Orleans is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Kenner.
From a growth perspective, Kenner is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kenner has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kenner | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,904 | 362,154 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kenner
Advantages
Median home property values and average rents remain significantly lower than the national average, offering high housing affordability.
Strategic location adjacent to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and major transit corridors like I-10.
Abundant outdoor recreational amenities along Lake Pontchartrain, including the popular Laketown park and boat launch areas.
Rich cultural diversity and community heritage highlighted by historic Rivertown museums and local cuisine.
Active local economic development support from municipal and parish partnerships fostering small business growth.
Drawbacks
Vulnerability to severe weather events and tropical storms inherent to the South Louisiana geographic region.
Property insurance and automotive maintenance costs can run higher than national norms due to regional risk factors.
Certain commercial corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours toward New Orleans.
Modest population decline trends over recent years reflect broader regional migration patterns in parts of the state.
Limited high-capacity public transit options make car ownership a practical necessity for daily commuting.
New Orleans
Advantages
Average rent in New Orleans is approximately $1,650 per month, remaining below major coastal US metro averages per Zillow 2026 data.
Over 42% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a well-educated urban population per U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
World-renowned culinary, music, and festival culture provides an unmatched daily quality of life and entertainment landscape.
Highly walkable and bike-friendly historic neighborhoods like Uptown and the French Quarter reduce daily car dependency.
Major robust healthcare and higher education anchors like Ochsner Health and Tulane University drive stable regional employment.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates remain higher than the national average, requiring vigilant safety precautions per municipal data.
Property and homeowner insurance costs in coastal Louisiana are among the highest in the nation due to hurricane and flood risks.
Summer temperatures and high humidity levels create prolonged periods of intense heat from June through September.
Poverty rate sits at 22.6%, highlighting economic disparities within parts of the city per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Infrastructure challenges, including street maintenance and localized urban drainage issues, require ongoing municipal management.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kenner
#283Louisiana, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,048
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
71.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
68
New Orleans
#563Louisiana, USA
47.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
217/yr
Avg Temp
71.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
67
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