New Orleans real estate vs inflation: did it beat the dollar?
141% × 46%
Updated June 1, 2026 · Redfin · BLS / FRED (CPIAUCNS)
Since 2013, New Orleans real estate is up 141% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. New Orleans real estate far outpaced inflation — but the ride was brutal: its worst drop was 33%. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Base 100 since 2013
Why compare New Orleans home prices (US$/m²) and U.S. inflation (CPI-U)
New Orleans is a Gulf Coast city defined by tourism, the port and the energy industry, and by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, which flooded much of the metro and reshaped its neighborhoods and population for years afterward. Recovery was uneven, with some areas rebuilding while others lost residents permanently. Its housing market has generally stayed more affordable per square meter than the major coastal metros, though flood risk and insurance costs weigh on it heavily. That mix of disaster recovery and ongoing climate exposure makes its arc distinct, which the table below measures against inflation rather than reading as one steady trend.
Returns by window
| Window | New Orleans home prices (US$/m²) | U.S. inflation (CPI-U) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 5% | 4% |
| 5 years | 4% | 24% |
| 10 years | 26% | 39% |
| since 2013 | 141% | 46% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans real estate | 30% | -33% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 1% | -2% |
$10,000 in each, since 2013
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| New Orleans real estate | $24,052 |
| Inflation (CPI) | $14,553 |
Frequently asked questions
Did New Orleans real estate beat inflation?
Over the period, New Orleans real estate returned 141% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. The gap is what the asset earned beyond simply keeping pace with the dollar.
Does this account for the dollar losing value?
Yes. The inflation line is U.S. CPI, the measure of how much purchasing power the dollar lost over the same period. Returns above that line are gains in real terms.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own. A higher return came with higher risk here — the volatility and the largest drop on this page show how much the value swung along the way.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.