Moving from College Station, TX to New Orleans, LA
Moving from College Station, TX to New Orleans, LA covers 431 mi and about 8h 11m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
431 mi Β· 8h 11m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 99 TOLL, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for College Station (90.951) and New Orleans (92.597) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in New Orleans: 1.8% below College Station on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 60.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in New Orleans β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 1.8% above College Station ($51,776 β $55,339, ACS 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
Is New Orleans more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 1.8% higher than College Station (92.597 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $349,041 in College Station β a 30.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station 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 431 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in College Station vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $51,776 in College Station β a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is New Orleans, LA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 431 mi and the route typically takes 8h 11m via I 10 and TX 99 TOLL. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· New Orleans, LA.