Moving from McKinney, TX to New Orleans, LA
A move from McKinney, TX to New Orleans, LA covers 541 mi and around 9h 56m 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.
541 mi Β· 9h 56m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 167, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | 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 |
Overall prices in New Orleans are 10.2% below McKinney β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: New Orleans typical home at $242,493 is 10.2% under McKinney at $481,963 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 60.1" |
New Orleans runs 6.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 70.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 10.2% below McKinney ($120,273 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 much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 49.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 54.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is New Orleans more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 10.2% lower than McKinney (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 McKinney 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 541 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney 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 far is New Orleans, LA from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 541 mi and the route typically takes 9h 56m via I 49 and US 167. 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· New Orleans, LA.