Is New Orleans, LA Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 82/100
Score 82/100 · Risk: moderate · Home Safety Grade B · Updated
New Orleans has moderate risk. Some factors warrant attention during the home buying process.
Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:
While every safety upgrade carries a real price tag, the estimated remediation range for New Orleans reflects a proportionally modest share of local home values - a baseline that leaves substantial room for financial planning and does not signal equity stress for most owners.
What is a home safety score?
Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. New Orleans scores 82/100 with a "moderate" risk level.
Remediation Cost Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in New Orleans:
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by property. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Safety scores vary across New Orleans's 62 ZIP codes.
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70114 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70117 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70126 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70127 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70128 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70129 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70131 | 77 | B | View report → |
| 70112 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70113 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70115 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70116 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70118 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70119 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70122 | 82 | B | View report → |
| 70124 | 82 | B | View report → |
Home Safety Overview
New Orleans, Louisiana has moderate risk for homebuyers. The average home safety score is 82/100 across 20 ZIP codes. Some risk factors warrant attention during the home buying process.
Safety Score Card
A composite view of New Orleans's key risk indicators:
| Risk Factor | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water Compliance | 12 EPA violations across 20 direct ZIP records | Recorded violations |
| Lead Risk | 0.0061 mg/L | Low risk |
| Flood Risk | 57% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones | Historical claims evidence |
| Radon | Zone 3 (Low) | Low risk |
| Air Quality | AQI 31 (Good) | Low risk |
Cost to Fix: Remediation Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in New Orleans:
| Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Filtration | $375 |
| Pfas | $500 |
| Total (low estimate) | $488 |
| Total (mid estimate) | $875 |
| Total (high estimate) | $2K |
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages and local data. Actual costs vary by property condition, contractor, and scope of work. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Home safety varies across New Orleans's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 70114 | 77 | B |
| 70117 | 77 | B |
| 70126 | 77 | B |
| 70127 | 77 | B |
| 70128 | 77 | B |
| 70129 | 77 | B |
| 70131 | 77 | B |
| 70112 | 82 | B |
| 70113 | 82 | B |
| 70115 | 82 | B |
| 70116 | 82 | B |
| 70118 | 82 | B |
| 70119 | 82 | B |
| 70122 | 82 | B |
| 70124 | 82 | B |
Safety scores range from 77 (70114) to 100 (70123) - a spread of 23 points.
New Orleans vs. Nearby Louisiana Cities
How New Orleans's overall risk compares to similar cities in Louisiana:
| City | Home Safety Grade | Lead ZIPs Over Limit | Flood Claims | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | B | 0 | 137,966 | 414,097 |
| Baton Rouge | A | 0 | 18,126 | 386,722 |
| Shreveport | A | 0 | 2,249 | 209,795 |
| Lafayette | A | 0 | 3,987 | 155,968 |
Homebuyer Safety Checklist for New Orleans
Before purchasing a home in New Orleans, Louisiana, complete these checks:
Water Quality
- Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
- Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)
Radon
- Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Flood Risk
- Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
- Review the claims-only zone evidence: 57% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.
Lead Paint & Pipes
- For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
- For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
- 75% of New Orleans homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended
General
- Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
- Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
- Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA SDWIS
- Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
- Flood: FEMA NFIP
- Radon: EPA Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirNow
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
- Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: New Orleans, LA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
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