New Orleans, LA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is New Orleans Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
New Orleans has a crime rate that is 80% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 139.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 139
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
88% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 25
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
115% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
New Orleans Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
177 | +77% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
192 | +92% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
177 | +77% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
184 | +84% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
174 | +74% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
201 | +101% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
206 | +106% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
New Orleans Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
New Orleans Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific New Orleans zip codes.
New Orleans Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans, LA has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 80% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 139 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 25 chance for property crime. New Orleans has higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is New Orleans, LA safe to live in?
New Orleans has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting New Orleans is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in New Orleans?
The estimated violent crime rate in New Orleans is 717.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 88% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 139 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.9 per 100K (77% above average); aggravated assault at 515.4 per 100K (92% above average); robbery at 130.9 per 100K (77% above average).
What is the property crime rate in New Orleans?
The estimated property crime rate in New Orleans is 3,935.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 115% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 25 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 468.9 per 100K (74% above average); larceny/theft at 2,811.3 per 100K (101% above average); vehicle theft at 655.3 per 100K (106% above average).
How does New Orleans crime compare to the national average?
New Orleans's overall crime rate is 80% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (106% above average), while burglary is 74% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, New Orleans has higher crime than 94% of them.
Is New Orleans safe to visit?
Visitors to New Orleans should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 115% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does New Orleans crime compare to the rest of Louisiana?
Louisiana as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. New Orleans's crime rate is 80% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Louisiana city.
What type of crime is most common in New Orleans?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in New Orleans, with an estimated rate of 2,811.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 101% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,936 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (717 per 100K) in New Orleans, which is consistent with national trends.