New Orleans, Louisiana Income Statistics
New Orleans Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
New Orleans Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | New Orleans | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,737 | $60,934 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,455 | $53,184 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.2% | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.8% | 9.7% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 10.3% | 7.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in New Orleans is about 7% lower than in Louisiana. Income has been growing faster in New Orleans (5.2%/yr) than in Louisiana (3.7%/yr).
About 12% of adults in New Orleans earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Louisiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in New Orleans, Louisiana grew by 56.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $56,737 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in New Orleans
| Metric | New Orleans | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.583 | 0.574 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $64,534 | $65,171 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $53,138 | $47,031 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.7% | 27.8% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In New Orleans, it is 0.583, higher than Louisiana's 0.574, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $398,860 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in New Orleans, Louisiana has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2021, and was narrowest at 17% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,489 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | New Orleans | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5% | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.9% | 8.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 13,890 people are unemployed in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The average commute time in New Orleans is 20 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Louisiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in New Orleans, Louisiana has fallen from 11.4% to 7.5% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 11.9% in 2013.
New Orleans, LA Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How New Orleans, LA compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 371,664 | $56,737 #1/3 | 5.2%/yr #1/3 | 7.5% #1/3 | 0.583 #3/3 |
| Chalmette, LA | 23,238 | $56,187 | 3.4%/yr | 8.8% | 0.565 |
| Terrytown, LA | 25,652 | $53,196 | 2.9%/yr | 8.3% | 0.529 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, New Orleans, Louisiana has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Louisiana, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in New Orleans, Louisiana.
How Rich Is New Orleans, Louisiana?
New Orleans has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $56,737, about 7% lower than the Louisiana average of $60,934.
How has median household income changed in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in New Orleans, Louisiana rose 57%, from $36,150 to $56,737. Over the same years, income here outpaced Louisiana as a whole: +57% against +44%.
What was the median household income in New Orleans in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in New Orleans, Louisiana was $55,369, up 8% from $51,039 in 2022. The Louisiana median that year was $60,038.
What was the median household income in New Orleans in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in New Orleans, Louisiana was $43,475. By 2024 it had risen 31% to $56,737.
What is the Gini coefficient in New Orleans, Louisiana?
The Gini coefficient in New Orleans is 0.583. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in New Orleans, Louisiana has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2021, and was narrowest at 17% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,489 since 2009.
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