Moving from Austin, TX to New Orleans, LA
A move from Austin, TX to New Orleans, LA covers 512 mi and around 9h 48m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
512 mi · 9h 48m by car · TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 90, I 10, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Houston, Pasadena, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in New Orleans are 5.6% below Austin — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: New Orleans typical home at $242,493 is 5.6% under Austin at $508,530 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 60.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.0°F vs 70.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: New Orleans sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 5.6% below Austin ($91,461 vs $55,339, ACS 5-year 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 Texas 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 does household income compare in Austin vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $91,461 in Austin — a 39.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 512 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 Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 512 mi and the route typically takes 9h 48m via US 90 and I 10. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Austin and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 70.0°F in Austin (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 36.3 in.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $508,530 in Austin — a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 5.6% lower than Austin (92.597 vs 98.066, 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 Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · New Orleans, LA.