Cost of Living: New Orleans, LA vs Santa Ana, CA (2026)

New Orleans

Louisiana
90
VS

Santa Ana

California
163

New Orleans is 45% cheaper than Santa Ana.

$1,211/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,975/mo ↑ 63%
$55,339/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$88,354/yr ↑ 60%
$296,400 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$657,800 ↑ 122%
$1,274/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,965/mo ↑ 54%
376,035
Population
311,639

Tax Comparison

4.25%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.45%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.55%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New Orleans, LA and Santa Ana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 90 and 163 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $764/month cheaper in New Orleans, saving renters about $9,168/year.

Median household income is $33,015/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New Orleans is $296,400 compared to $657,800 in Santa Ana.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making New Orleans slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Orleans vs Santa Ana — common questions

Is New Orleans or Santa Ana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New Orleans is cheaper to live in with an index of 90 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New Orleans and Santa Ana?
Median rent in New Orleans is $1,211/month and in Santa Ana it's $1,975/month — a difference of $764/month.
Which city has higher income, New Orleans or Santa Ana?
Median household income is $55,339 in New Orleans and $88,354 in Santa Ana. Median household income is $33,015/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and California?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to New Orleans or Santa Ana?
It depends on your priorities. New Orleans has a cost index of 90 with median rent of $1,211/mo, while Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with rent of $1,975/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View New Orleans details → View Santa Ana details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for New Orleans and Santa Ana

New Orleans vs. Aurora New Orleans vs. Cleveland New Orleans vs. Tampa New Orleans vs. Honolulu New Orleans vs. Arlington New Orleans vs. Anaheim Santa Ana vs. Orlando Santa Ana vs. Cincinnati Santa Ana vs. Riverside Santa Ana vs. Irvine Santa Ana vs. Corpus Christi Santa Ana vs. St. Paul