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Los Angeles or New Orleans? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick New Orleans for music, food and history packed into walkable neighbourhoods, at a much lower cost on our numbers. Pick Los Angeles for beaches, mountains, film sites and big museums, if you have time and are happy to drive. New Orleans is the better short trip; Los Angeles needs at least five days and a car.
Los Angeles: suits couples, friends and families who want beaches, hiking, theme parks and a huge food scene, and do not mind driving.
New Orleans: suits couples and friends who want live jazz, Creole and Cajun food, historic architecture and late nights on foot.
Side by side
| Los Angeles | New Orleans | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €324 US$365 local | €244 US$275 local |
| Budget day* | €156 | €111 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●Mid-range about US$365 (€322) per day | ●●●●●Mid-range about US$275 (€242) per day |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Busy at top sights, but spread across a vast area | ●●●●●Calm most of the year; packed at Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest |
| Food | ●●●●●Tacos, Korean barbecue and cooking from every continent | ●●●●●Gumbo, po'boys and beignets in a food culture of its own |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Strong bars and live music, but car-dependent and spread out | ●●●●●Live music every night on Frenchmen Street and beyond |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Theme parks, beaches, museums and easy hikes | ●●●●●Zoo and aquarium help, but Bourbon Street is adult-focused |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Huge distances and heavy traffic; a car is essential | ●●●●●Walkable French Quarter and historic streetcars |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov, Dec | Oct, Nov |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 31°C / Jan 19°C | Aug 32°C / Jan 17°C |
| Known for | Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, Getty Center, Hollywood Sign | French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, Garden District |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Los Angeles and New Orleans day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Los Angeles if…
- you want beaches and mountains in one trip
- you are travelling with children who want theme parks
- you want the Getty, Griffith Observatory and film studios
- you have five days or more and will rent a car
Pick New Orleans if…
- Live music is a priority
- you want distinctive regional food at lower prices
- you want a walkable city without needing a car
- you have only three or four days
Weather month by month
| Month | Los Angeles high / rainy days | New Orleans high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19°C · 7 | 17°C · 10 |
| Feb | 21°C · 3 | 19°C · 12 |
| Mar | 21°C · 8 | 23°C · 14 |
| Apr | 24°C · 2 | 25°C · 15 |
| May | 24°C · 2 | 29°C · 16 |
| Jun | 28°C · 2 | 31°C · 20 |
| Jul | 31°C · 1 | 31°C · 25 |
| Aug | 31°C · 1 | 32°C · 19 |
| Sep | 30°C · 2 | 30°C · 15 |
| Oct | 27°C · 1 | 26°C · 8 |
| Nov | 24°C · 3 | 20°C · 9 |
| Dec | 19°C · 9 | 19°C · 10 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Los Angeles
Tacos al pastor and carne asada · Birria tacos · Korean barbecue · French dip sandwich · Pastrami on rye · Thai boat noodles and street dishes
Where: Grand Central Market (Downtown), Koreatown, Boyle Heights and East LA, Original Farmers Market (Fairfax)
New Orleans
Gumbo · Po'boy · Beignets and café au lait · Jambalaya · Red beans and rice · Muffuletta
Where: French Market, French Quarter, Tremé and the Seventh Ward, Magazine Street and the Garden District
Doing both in one trip
9 days: 5 in Los Angeles + 4 in New Orleans
Start in Los Angeles, which has more international flights, then fly to New Orleans to end with music and food in a compact city.
Getting between them: Nonstop flights take about 3 h 30 to 4 h, plus airport time. Amtrak's Sunset Limited links the two cities in about two days and runs only a few times a week; check current timetables. Distance about 2,686 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1–2: Los Angeles — Santa Monica and Venice, Getty Center
- Day 3–5: Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Downtown and Koreatown, a Malibu or theme-park day
- Day 6: Fly to New Orleans, evening on Frenchmen Street
- Day 7–9: French Quarter and Jackson Square, Garden District by streetcar, Tremé, a swamp tour
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Common questions
Is Los Angeles or New Orleans cheaper?
New Orleans is clearly cheaper on our numbers: about US$275 (€242) per person per day at mid-range against about US$365 (€322) in Los Angeles. Los Angeles adds a rental car, fuel and parking, while New Orleans can be done on foot and by streetcar. Hotel prices in New Orleans jump sharply during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
How do I get from Los Angeles to New Orleans?
Fly. Nonstop flights take roughly 3 h 30 to 4 h, plus airport time. Amtrak's Sunset Limited train links the two cities in about two days and runs only a few times a week, which suits travellers who want the journey itself. Driving is roughly 3,000 km and takes several days, so only consider it as a road trip.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
October and November are the most comfortable months, with warm days and lower humidity. Spring is also good and brings festivals, including Jazz Fest around late April and early May. Summer is very hot and humid, with August highs around 32°C, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Book well ahead for Mardi Gras.
Do I need a car in Los Angeles and New Orleans?
In Los Angeles, yes: distances are huge and public transport covers only part of the city. In New Orleans, no: the French Quarter, Marigny and Tremé are walkable, streetcars run to the Garden District, and rideshare fills the gaps. Renting a car in New Orleans mostly adds parking costs, unless you plan plantation or swamp trips.