New Orleans vs San Francisco
New Orleans and San Francisco are level on the CIRA Index at 71. New Orleans grades better on 6 measures, San Francisco on 8; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.
Scores by each organisation's criteria
- CIRA Index: New Orleans 71, San Francisco 71
- OECD: New Orleans 67, San Francisco 72
- UN Tourism: New Orleans 73, San Francisco 71
- UNDRR: New Orleans 73, San Francisco 69
Theme by theme
- Demand and seasonality: New Orleans 67, San Francisco 80
- Economy and jobs: New Orleans 67, San Francisco 94
- Climate and hazards: New Orleans 40, San Francisco 65
- Water and environment: New Orleans 69, San Francisco 63
- Community and housing: New Orleans 67, San Francisco 33
- Access and continuity: New Orleans 96, San Francisco 88
Where New Orleans is stronger
- Water scarcity: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
- Municipal waste per resident: 405.3 kg per resident per year (Louisiana Legislative Auditor, City of New Orleans - Residential Trash and Recyclables Collection, 2024). Between 350 and 450: grade 3/4.
- Rent growth: 1.6 % change in rents over the last 12 months (Apartment List, New Orleans Rent Report (October 2026), September 2025 – September 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.
- Resident support for tourism: 64 % of residents who say tourism benefits them or the city (country figure) (Longwoods International / Miles Partnership, U.S. National Resident Sentiment Report (via TravelAge West), 2024). Between 60 and 70: grade 3/4.
- Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (metro figure) (New Orleans & Company / Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, 2026). At or above 4: grade 4/4.
- Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan tested in an exercise or a real event, with lessons published (New Orleans & Company, 2025). Grade 4/4.
Where San Francisco is stronger
- Average length of stay: 4.2 nights per visitor (San Francisco Travel Association / Future Partners, 2022 Visitor Profile Study (cited in San Francisco Travel Association Advertising Opportunities 2025), 2022). At or above 3.5: grade 4/4.
- Jobs in tourism industries: 6.3 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
- Unemployment rate: 4.2 % of the labour force (California Employment Development Department (EDD), San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City MD Press Release, August 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
- Extreme heat days: 0.8 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
- Tropical nights: 0 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
- Wastewater safely treated: 100 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Wastewater Collection & Treatment System, 2024). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
- Short-let density: 1.8 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (Inside Airbnb and U.S. Census Bureau (2024 ACS 1-Year Estimates), 2024–2026). Between 1 and 2: grade 2/4.
- Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source plus a reserve or stabilisation fund for downturns (San Francisco Tourism Improvement District (SFTID), 2025-2026). Grade 4/4.
Country context (World Economic Forum)
- United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
- United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
New Orleans in full · San Francisco in full
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