Moving from New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX
The 359 mi from New Orleans to Houston 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
| New Orleans | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.5% pricier overall in Houston than New Orleans on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.5% higher in Houston than New Orleans as of 2026-03.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.9°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.51 |
Income steps up 6.5%: $55,339 in New Orleans vs $62,894 in Houston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 — 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 Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 far is Houston, TX from New Orleans, LA?
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.
Is Houston more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.5% higher than New Orleans (98.629 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Houston?
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 much do homes cost in Houston compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 9.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 13.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 60.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Houston, TX.