Moving from Savannah, GA to New Orleans, LA
The drive from Savannah, GA to New Orleans, LA runs 632 mi — about 11h 60m 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.
632 mi · 11h 60m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 16, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, Montgomery, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Savannah (95.206) and New Orleans (92.597) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in New Orleans: 2.7% below Savannah on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 60.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in New Orleans — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.43 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Georgia 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.
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
How far is New Orleans, LA from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 632 mi and the route typically takes 11h 60m via I 65 and I 16. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 67.5°F in Savannah (3.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 48.1 in.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 25.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 2.7% lower than Savannah (92.597 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Savannah 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 632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · New Orleans, LA.