CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs New Orleans, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableLA
New Orleans
92.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

New Orleans is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 6.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $75,100 in New Orleans. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing10.7%
Harrisburg
96.3
New Orleans
86
🛒 Groceries7.0%
Harrisburg
100.7
New Orleans
93.7
🚗 Transportation2.0%
Harrisburg
102.6
New Orleans
100.5
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Harrisburg
92.8
New Orleans
90.9
Utilities34.1%
Harrisburg
108.1
New Orleans
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Harrisburg to see what you'd need to earn in New Orleans to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$75,100
$4,900 less needed in New Orleans

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.9382. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

New Orleans, LA

Median Home Price
$253,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
86
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4×

Harrisburg has 10.7% lower housing costs compared to New Orleans.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

New Orleans, LA

Median Household Income
$61,000
Per Capita Income
$34,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
383,997
Top Industries
TourismEnergyHealthcareShippingEntertainment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

New Orleans, LA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.