Cost of Living in New Orleans

The cost of living in New Orleans is just below the US average, and you should be able to afford a good life in the city. Housing is cheaper than in most big US cities, and casual dining won’t break the bank. The big costs here are summer electricity bills (you’ll run the air conditioning almost nonstop) and some of the country’s steepest home insurance premiums.

Depending on the sector, career progression opportunities can also be good, even if wage growth is fairly slow compared to faster-growing economies. When weighing up a move to this Louisiana city, consider your living expenses alongside job prospects, lifestyle preferences, schooling, and your family situation.

Cost of accommodation in New Orleans

Accommodation is usually the largest portion of a new arrival’s budget, but the cost of renting accommodation in New Orleans is pretty affordable. Although above the national average, rent in New Orleans is still significantly cheaper than in many areas of the USA. If you’re relocating from cities like New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, or Austin, you will notice massive savings. Bear in mind that landlords here face high property taxes and expensive home and flood insurance, and they build much of that into the rent.

Most new residents rent rather than buy, although buying property here can be a solid investment, particularly downtown. New Orleans is also a major tourist destination, so a holiday rental can be lucrative, provided you meet the city’s strict short-term rental rules.

Accommodation in New Orleans

Cost of transport in New Orleans

The cost of transport in New Orleans is reasonable, and getting around by streetcar or bus is easier here than in many other Southern cities. Single fares and day passes are cheap, and the historic streetcar lines are a scenic way to see the city.

You don’t need a car to live in New Orleans, but you’ll find daily life easier with one, especially if you settle away from the central neighbourhoods.

Getting Around in New Orleans

Cost of groceries in New Orleans

The cost of groceries in New Orleans is roughly the national average. Local options include Rouses Markets, a major Louisiana-based chain, alongside national names such as Walmart, Winn-Dixie, Costco, and a few Whole Foods locations.

You’ll also find regional specialities and Louisiana produce that are hard to track down elsewhere. Langenstein’s, Breaux Mart, Dorignac’s, and Canseco’s are long-standing neighbourhood grocers that stock speciality items the big chains don’t. At the Crescent City Farmers Market and the French Market, you’ll find fresh, seasonal Louisiana produce such as Creole tomatoes and Ponchatoula strawberries.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in New Orleans

New Orleans is known the world over as a party city, but a good time here doesn’t need to cost the earth. Between the year-round festivals, the bars, the neighbourhood music clubs, and the countless restaurants, you can enjoy the city on almost any budget.

New Orleans is hard to beat for eating out. Foodies can splash out on fine dining, but the city is best known for its Creole and Cajun cooking: hearty, affordable plates of jambalaya, gumbo, po’boys, and red beans and rice.

Lifestyle, Eating Out, Shopping, and Attractions in New Orleans

Cost of education in New Orleans

If you’re moving to New Orleans with children, your school choice is the biggest factor in what you’ll pay.

After Hurricane Katrina, state authorities rebuilt the New Orleans public school system almost from the ground up, and today nearly all public schools in the city are charter schools. Supporters point to higher test scores and graduation rates since the change. Critics counter that charter schools have drained resources from the public system and left results uneven across the city. Either way, most families pay little or nothing for a public school place.

There are also many private schools in the city and a handful of international schools. Private and international schools often have smaller classes and a broader range of programmes, although you pay for the privilege. Private school fees are steep, but they tend to be a little lower in New Orleans than in many larger US cities.

Schools and Education in New Orleans

Cost of healthcare in New Orleans

New Orleans has become a healthcare hub for the South. Several major hospital groups are based in the city, so you and your family should be in good hands here. As anywhere in the US, though, you’ll need a solid medical insurance policy to access the best facilities.

If you’re relocating for work, try to negotiate a healthcare allowance into your employment contract. An employer who covers this can save you a good chunk of money.

Healthcare in New Orleans