NEW ORLEANS — A new independent survey from LSU shows growing optimism about New Orleans’ future, significant improvements in residents’ perceptions of public safety, and strong confidence in Mayor Helena Moreno’s leadership.
The 2026 New Orleans Quality of Life Survey reveals a remarkable shift in public sentiment, with residents increasingly believing New Orleans is becoming a safer, stronger, and better place to live. Among the most significant findings, for the first time since the survey began 40 years ago, crime is no longer the most frequently cited problem facing New Orleans. Just 14% of residents now identify crime as the city’s biggest problem, compared with 27% in 2024 and 56% in 2022.
The survey also found that 66% of New Orleans voters approve of Mayor Moreno’s job performance, with majority approval across all five City Council districts and every racial demographic surveyed. Only 14% disapprove.
The survey documents a dramatic transformation in how New Orleanians view crime and safety. 50% believe crime is decreasing, compared with just 3% in 2022.
The survey also shows a major shift in residents’ outlook. A majority of New Orleanians — 52% — now believe the city will become a better place to live over the next five years, up from 41% in 2024 and 35% in 2022. Meanwhile, the percentage who believe New Orleans has become a worse place to live over the previous five years has fallen dramatically, from 62% in 2022 to 30% today.
Residents also reported improvements in their evaluations of several city services, including police protection, traffic congestion, litter control, public transportation, and overall government services.
While the survey documents encouraging improvements, it also identifies areas where New Orleans must continue making progress, including streets, drainage, affordable housing, homelessness, and economic opportunity. The Moreno administration remains focused on improving essential city services, strengthening public safety, investing in infrastructure, attracting new businesses, and expanding economic opportunities for residents.
“These results show that New Orleans is turning a corner, and our residents are beginning to feel the difference,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “For too long, the story of New Orleans has focused on our challenges. Today, we’re seeing something different. People are feeling safer, confidence is growing, and more New Orleanians believe our best days are ahead of us. But we know there is still tremendous work to do, and we won’t stop. We can’t stop. Every single day, we will keep chipping away at the longstanding challenges that have held our city back, fighting for better streets, safer neighborhoods, stronger opportunities, and a city that works for everyone. Because progress doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when we refuse to give up, when we work together, and when we believe in what’s possible. And I believe with all my heart that New Orleans’ greatest days are still ahead of us.”
The 2026 LSU Quality of Life Survey was conducted September 12–30 among 400 registered voters in Orleans Parish, with a margin of error of approximately 4.9 percentage points.