City Comparison
New Orleans vs Natchitoches
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Natchitoches scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Orleans
Natchitoches
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
75% lower than in New Orleans.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Orleans's average rent is
148% higher than Natchitoches's.
| Metric | New Orleans | Natchitoches | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $664 | +148% |
| Groceries | $420 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $185 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $664 | +293% |
| Cost Index | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Orleans offers 175% higher average salaries.
| Metric | New Orleans | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $22,157 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $56,631 | $37,133 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Orleans runs warmer on average — a 71.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Orleans comes out ahead with 217 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Orleans sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Orleans | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 217 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Natchitoches has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to New Orleans.
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 | New Orleans | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Orleans is the larger city
— approximately 20.6x the population of Natchitoches.
From a growth perspective, New Orleans is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Orleans | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 362,154 | 17,577 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Natchitoches
Advantages
Natchitoches boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, being the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
The average commute time of 16.2 minutes is significantly shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience.
The cost of living, particularly median rent at $664 per month, is relatively low, enhancing affordability.
The city is home to Northwestern State University, contributing to a vibrant, youthful demographic and educational opportunities.
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services and is actively working to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care.
Drawbacks
Natchitoches has a high crime rate, with total crime being 149% higher than the national average and a violent crime rate of 891.1 per 100,000 residents.
The city's livability score is 56/100, ranking it low compared to other U.S. cities.
Public transportation is limited, leading to high car dependency for residents.
The median household income of $37,133 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Summers are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Natchitoches
#494Louisiana, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$664
Avg Salary
$22,157
Cost Index
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
56
Business
60
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