Moving from Montgomery, AL to New Orleans, LA
The 301 mi from Montgomery to New Orleans translate to about 5h 35m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
301 mi Β· 5h 35m by car Β· LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in New Orleans and Montgomery is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in New Orleans is 3.3% above Montgomery β $151,228 vs $242,493 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Montgomery (67.9Β°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: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.43 |
Median household incomes in Montgomery ($55,687) and New Orleans ($55,339) are within a few percent (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 Alabama 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 far is New Orleans, LA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 301 mi and the route typically takes 5h 35m via I 65 and I 10. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery 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 301 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 Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 60.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 0.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 3.3% higher than Montgomery (92.597 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· New Orleans, LA.