Orlando, FL vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Orlando
68.7
#1298 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 27.4 min). Orlando leads in median household income ($57,891 vs $32,877). Orlando leads in walk score (42 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Orlando, FL | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1298) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 320,742 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $374,196 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $57,891 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 25 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.7 |
| School Rating | 6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.6 | R+25.4 |
D+
68.7 Score
Orlando, FL
Theme park capital with growing diversity
Median Home
$374,196
Population
320,742
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Orlando, FL →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →