Moving from Houston, TX to New Orleans, LA
The 359 mi from Houston to New Orleans translate to about 6h 52m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
359 mi · 6h 52m by car · TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 90, I 610 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in New Orleans are 6.1% below Houston — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.1% lower in New Orleans than Houston as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 60.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.6°F vs 70.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.43 |
Income steps down 6.1%: $62,894 in Houston vs $55,339 in New Orleans.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $264,336 in Houston — a 8.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 359 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Houston vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $62,894 in Houston — a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Houston and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 70.6°F in Houston (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 54.1 in.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 6.1% lower than Houston (92.597 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 359 mi and the route typically takes 6h 52m via I 10 and US 90. 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · New Orleans, LA.