Moving from New Orleans, LA to Fort Worth, TX
The drive from New Orleans, LA to Fort Worth, TX runs 549 mi β about 10h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
549 mi Β· 10h 8m by car Β· TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, I 20, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.597 in New Orleans to 103.09 in Fort Worth, a 11.3% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fort Worth: 11.3% above New Orleans on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | New Orleans | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.82 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.3% between New Orleans and Fort Worth (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Worth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Fort Worth average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $242,493 in New Orleans β a 22.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $55,339 in New Orleans β a 38.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Fort Worth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 549 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 Fort Worth compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 11.3% higher than New Orleans (103.09 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 549 mi and the route typically takes 10h 8m via I 49 and I 20. 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 New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA Β· Fort Worth, TX.