Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ New Orleans vs New York
New Orleans vs New York cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ New Orleans
πΊπΈ New YorkNew Orleans is 73% cheaper than New York
Living on $6,083 a month in New Orleans feels like about $11,647 in New York β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $478
Per month
$6,083 vs $11,647
Local meal
$ 15 vs $ 20
$15 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 15 vs $ 23
$15 vs $23
At a glance
FoodNew Orleans 26% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksNew Orleans 27% cheaper
TransportNew Orleans 45% cheaper
StayNew Orleans 53% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where New Orleans is clearly cheaper: Transit (66%β), Studio rent (month) (62%β), Hotel night (39%β)
Item by item
| Item | New Orleans | New York | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | $ 20$20 | New Orleans β25% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | $ 9$9 | New Orleans β24% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 40$40 | $ 55$55 | New Orleans β27% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 6$6 | New Orleans β17% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6$6 | $ 9$9 | New Orleans β33% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 16$16 | $ 23$23 | New Orleans β30% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | New Orleans β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | New Orleans β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 15$15 | $ 23$23 | New Orleans β35% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 14$14 | $ 14$14 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 1$1 | $ 2.9$2.9 | New Orleans β66% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 69$69 | $ 68$68 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | $ 280$280 | New Orleans β39% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,500$1,500 | $ 3,900$3,900 | New Orleans β62% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | New Orleans β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | New Orleans β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | $ 39$39 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | $ 110$110 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | New Orleans β11% |
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, New Orleans or New York?
New Orleans is 73% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $310 vs $478; a month $6,083 vs $11,647.
How do monthly costs compare between New Orleans and New York?
With a short-term studio and living costs, New Orleans is about $6,083 and New York about $11,647 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.