Moving from New Orleans, LA to Gilbert, AZ
Cross-country relocations like New Orleans, LA β Gilbert, AZ cover 1519 mi and about 26h 25m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1519 mi Β· 26h 25m by car Β· LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Gilbert | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Gilbert is 11.6% higher than New Orleans, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Gilbert is 11.6% above New Orleans β $242,493 vs $572,507 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Gilbert -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | New Orleans | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | β |
Annual average temperatures in New Orleans (70.9Β°F) and Gilbert (71.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, CHANDLER HEIGHTS, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 271,118 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $121,351 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.6% between New Orleans and Gilbert (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gilbert MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Gilbert average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Gilbert compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $572,507 in Gilbert vs $242,493 in New Orleans β a 136.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Gilbert compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Gilbert MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Gilbert?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,351 in Gilbert vs $55,339 in New Orleans β a 119.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Gilbert?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1519 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Gilbert more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gilbert is 11.6% higher than New Orleans (103.316 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Gilbert, AZ from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 1519 mi and the route typically takes 26h 25m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 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· Gilbert, AZ.