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F

Is New Orleans, Louisiana Safe?

Population 362,154 · Safer than 7% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, New Orleans faces real safety challenges. It earns a F grade and ranks below 93% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,941 per 100K.

New Orleans Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNew OrleansLouisiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate471.0325.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2640.72111.61,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate356.0--268.2
Theft Rate1941.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate542.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyF

311.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

471/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeF

2641/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for New Orleans

Violent crime in New Orleans is above the national average. The rate of 471.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is well above the national average at 2640.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,941 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 356 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

New Orleans Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault356
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery70
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary294
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,941
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft542
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How New Orleans Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

New Orleans
471.0
State
325.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

New Orleans
2640.7
State
2111.6
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Orleans Safety

Is New Orleans safe?
Not especially. New Orleans earns a F with a crime rate of 311.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in New Orleans?
311.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 471.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2640.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is New Orleans safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. New Orleans's F grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,941 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in New Orleans generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the New Orleans police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in New Orleans?
Yes, there's been an uptick. New Orleans's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a F grade overall.
How does New Orleans compare to other cities in Louisiana?
Below average for the state. New Orleans ranks behind about 98% of Louisiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is New Orleans to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in New Orleans?
Bad. A F grade and 311.2 per-thousand rate put New Orleans below 93% of US cities. Violent crime at 471 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in New Orleans?
471.0 per 100,000, which is 29% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (356), robbery (70), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Louisiana

Similar-sized communities in Louisiana. Compare crime rates across the state.

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See crime rates in Monroe46,860 pop · Grade D-
View all Louisiana city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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