Median rent is 3% lower in Spokane ($1,215/mo vs $1,251/mo). Buying is cheaper in New Orleans, where the median home runs $315,700 versus $363,500. Households earn more in Spokane ($70,064 vs $56,631 a year). Taken together, New Orleans is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.2 against 92.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Spokane, WA.
Cost of living verdict
New Orleans is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.2 in New Orleans vs 92.4 in Spokane (US national average = 100)
City A
New Orleans, LA
City B
Spokane, WA
How much would you need to earn in Spokane, WA to maintain your standard of living from New Orleans, LA?
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$75,975
You'd need $975 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
New Orleans
Louisiana
Spokane
Washington
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,251/mo in New Orleans and $1,215/mo in Spokane. Median home values are within 13% of each other: $315,700 in New Orleans and $363,500 in Spokane.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
New Orleans
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: New Orleans averages 52.0 AQI (Moderate) and Spokane averages 52.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Spokane if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,064/yr).
Is New Orleans cheaper than Spokane?
New Orleans is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.2 versus 92.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in New Orleans.
How much is rent in New Orleans vs Spokane?
Median rent is $1,251/mo in New Orleans, LA and $1,215/mo in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — New Orleans or Spokane?
Median household income is $56,631 in New Orleans, LA and $70,064 in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Spokane, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — New Orleans or Spokane?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Spokane to match my New Orleans income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in New Orleans, LA is equivalent to roughly $101,299 in Spokane, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
