CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs New Orleans, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
LA
New Orleans
92.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than New Orleans — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $86,400 in New Orleans. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+59.3%
Joplin
54
New Orleans
86
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Joplin
94.2
New Orleans
93.7
🚗 Transportation+2.9%
Joplin
97.7
New Orleans
100.5
🏥 Healthcare+2.8%
Joplin
88.4
New Orleans
90.9
Utilities17.1%
Joplin
85.9
New Orleans
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$86,400
$6,400 more needed in New Orleans

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.0805. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

New Orleans, LA

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

New Orleans has 59.3% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.