CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs New Orleans, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableLA
New Orleans
92.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

New Orleans is slightly cheaper than Midland — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $77,300 in New Orleans. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.3%
Midland
101.5
New Orleans
86
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Midland
93.8
New Orleans
93.7
🚗 Transportation0.6%
Midland
101.1
New Orleans
100.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Midland
91.4
New Orleans
90.9
Utilities14.4%
Midland
83.2
New Orleans
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in New Orleans

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9666. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

New Orleans, LA

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

Midland has 15.3% lower housing costs compared to New Orleans.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.