Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Los Angeles vs New Orleans
Los Angeles vs New Orleans cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Los Angeles
πΊπΈ New OrleansNew Orleans is 21% cheaper than Los Angeles
Living on $8,136 a month in Los Angeles feels like about $6,083 in New Orleans β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$369 vs $310
Per month
$8,136 vs $6,083
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 15
$18 vs $15
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs $ 15
$20 vs $15
At a glance
FoodNew Orleans 15% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksNew Orleans 19% cheaper
TransportNew Orleans 17% cheaper
StayNew Orleans 28% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where New Orleans is clearly cheaper: Transit (43%β), Studio rent (month) (40%β), Beer (25%β)
Item by item
| Item | Los Angeles | New Orleans | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 15$15 | New Orleans β17% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 6.8$6.8 | New Orleans β16% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 45$45 | $ 40$40 | New Orleans β11% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 5$5 | New Orleans β9% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 6$6 | New Orleans β25% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 16$16 | New Orleans β24% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | $ 15$15 | New Orleans β25% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 14$14 | Los Angeles β14% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.75$1.75 | $ 1$1 | New Orleans β43% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 62$62 | $ 69$69 | Los Angeles β10% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 200$200 | $ 170$170 | New Orleans β15% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,500$2,500 | $ 1,500$1,500 | New Orleans β40% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 26$26 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 39$39 | Los Angeles β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 110$110 | Los Angeles β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 93$93 | $ 100$100 | Los Angeles β7% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 26$26 | $ 25$25 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Los Angeles or New Orleans?
New Orleans is 21% cheaper than Los Angeles. Daily budget $369 vs $310; a month $8,136 vs $6,083.
How do monthly costs compare between Los Angeles and New Orleans?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Los Angeles is about $8,136 and New Orleans about $6,083 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.