Moving from Brownsville, TX to New Orleans, LA
It is 709 mi between Brownsville and New Orleans β roughly 13h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
709 mi Β· 13h 26m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 77, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
New Orleans runs about 7.7% more expensive overall than Brownsville β RPP 85.975 β 92.597.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $195,993 in Brownsville to $242,493 in New Orleans, a 7.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 60.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 74.4Β°F vs 70.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: New Orleans sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.43 |
Households in New Orleans earn about 7.7% more at the median β 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 much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 23.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 7.7% higher than Brownsville (92.597 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville 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 709 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 709 mi and the route typically takes 13h 26m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 13.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· New Orleans, LA.