Moving from Pasadena, CA to New Orleans, LA
A 1899 mi cross-country move between Pasadena and New Orleans is 33h 7m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1899 mi · 33h 7m by car · LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| 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
| Pasadena | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has New Orleans at 92.597 vs Pasadena at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,209,228 to $242,493 moving to New Orleans.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (66.0°F) and New Orleans (70.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
New Orleans gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.43 |
New Orleans households earn about 18.5% less than Pasadena at the median — $103,778 → $55,339 on 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 California 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 — 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.
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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in New Orleans average 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 20.1 in.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 18.5% lower than Pasadena (92.597 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 46.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 79.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1899 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1899 mi and the route typically takes 33h 7m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 5 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · New Orleans, LA.