Moving from Arlington, TX to New Orleans, LA
A move from Arlington, TX to New Orleans, LA covers 536 mi and around 9h 50m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
536 mi Β· 9h 50m by car Β· TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 49, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
New Orleans is 10.2% cheaper than Arlington overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in New Orleans is 10.2% below Arlington β $310,971 vs $242,493 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Arlington (66.8Β°F) and New Orleans (70.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
New Orleans gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 10.2% below Arlington ($73,519 vs $55,339, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New Orleans MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 64,460 | $38,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 59,980 | $26,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 48,630 | $37,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 48,580 | $31,100 |
| Management Occupations | 33,120 | $101,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in New Orleans average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: New Orleans averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 22.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 536 mi and the route typically takes 9h 50m via I 20 and I 49. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 10.2% lower than Arlington (92.597 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 536 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· New Orleans, LA.