Signals
New Orleans
Memphis
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 24%
vs27 · Bottom 4%
Climate
78 · Top 24%
vs68 · Bottom 41%
Physical resilience
33 · Bottom 29%
vs49 · Bottom 42%
Housing affordability
55 · Bottom 19%
vs75 · Top 50%
Access
88 · Bottom 30%
vs98 · Top 25%
Economic stability
31 · Bottom 5%
vs39 · Bottom 13%
Measured values
| Metric | New Orleans | Memphis | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 371,853 | 618,980 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $56,631 | $51,736 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,662 | $33,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,194/sq mi | 2,136/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $315,700 | $169,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,251 | $1,181 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.2% | 44.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.4% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42.4% | 28.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 22.6% | 23.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 91°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 47°F | 33°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 54.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 20 mi | 5 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.5 min | 22.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.8 | 34.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
New Orleans
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Memphis
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
New Orleans
52
Your Score
50
Area Score
Memphis
59
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: New Orleans, LA · Memphis, TN · How this is calculated: methodology