Moving from New Orleans, LA to Wichita, KS
It is 850 mi between New Orleans and Wichita — roughly 15h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
850 mi · 15h 42m by car · KS → OK → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 75, US 62 |
| Major cities en route | Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Shreveport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
New Orleans and Wichita sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Wichita run about 3.9% cheaper — ZHVI $242,493 → $202,720 (2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 34.3" |
Annual temperature drops 13.2°F moving to Wichita per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Wichita sees 12.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.52 |
Households in Wichita earn about 3.9% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Wichita compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 16.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 850 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Wichita, KS from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 850 mi and the route typically takes 15h 42m via I 49 and US 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Wichita more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 3.9% lower than New Orleans (88.946 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (13.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 14.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Wichita, KS.