New Orleans vs Los Angeles
Los Angeles comes out ahead overall, winning 3 of 7 criteria.
Summary
Los Angeles edges out New Orleans overall (5.9 vs 5.9), but the margin is thin enough that a single strong priority — like safety — could reasonably flip your personal decision the other way.
Quick answers
Safety: Los Angeles (6/10 vs 5/10).
Climate: Los Angeles (8/10 vs 7/10).
Overall, Los Angeles scores higher (5.9/10 vs 5.9/10) across all seven criteria combined.
Cost of living: New Orleans (6/10 vs 4/10).
New Orleans and Los Angeles are a close call for families based on safety, healthcare and environment.
New Orleans and Los Angeles are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Cost of living: notably better than Los Angeles (6.0 vs 4.0)
- +Environment & air quality: slightly better than Los Angeles (5.0 vs 4.0)
- +Safety: slightly better than New Orleans (6.0 vs 5.0)
- +Climate: slightly better than New Orleans (8.0 vs 7.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than New Orleans (7.0 vs 6.0)
Which city fits your profile?
New Orleans and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New Orleans and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New Orleans and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New Orleans scores higher once we weight toward movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor (5.9 vs 5.5 for New Orleans vs Los Angeles), driven largely by cost of living.
Los Angeles scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (5.6 vs 5.9 for New Orleans vs Los Angeles), driven largely by safety.
New Orleans and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New Orleans scores higher once we weight toward students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene (5.8 vs 5.5 for New Orleans vs Los Angeles), driven largely by cost of living.
Los Angeles scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (5.8 vs 6.0 for New Orleans vs Los Angeles), driven largely by safety.
New Orleans and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New Orleans scores higher once we weight toward early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate (5.8 vs 5.7 for New Orleans vs Los Angeles), driven largely by cost of living.
Which city should you choose?
Pick New Orleans if you're a budget-conscious mover, student, or young professional — Pick Los Angeles instead if you're more of a safety-first mover or expat.