Moving from Atlanta, GA to New Orleans, LA
It is a 460 mi drive, roughly 8h 30m, between Atlanta, GA and New Orleans, LA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
460 mi Β· 8h 30m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, US 82, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Columbus, Montgomery, Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has New Orleans at 92.597 vs Atlanta at 100.058.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $385,599 to $242,493 moving to New Orleans.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 60.1" |
Annual temperature rises 8.6Β°F moving to New Orleans per NOAA normals.
New Orleans gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 34 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.43 |
New Orleans households earn about 7.5% less than Atlanta at the median β $81,938 β $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 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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in New Orleans average 91Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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 Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 460 mi and the route typically takes 8h 30m via I 65 and US 82. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 32.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 460 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 37.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 7.5% lower than Atlanta (92.597 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· New Orleans, LA.