Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Jacksonville and New Orleans have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Louisiana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Jacksonville has a housing index of 89 while New Orleans sits at 95 (national average = 100). The median home in Jacksonville costs $280,000 compared to $245,000 in New Orleans, a difference of $35,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Jacksonville versus $1,200 in New Orleans.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Jacksonville scores 101 while New Orleans scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Jacksonville (95) are higher than New Orleans (94). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Jacksonville is $53,025 compared to $43,258 in New Orleans. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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