Moving from Garland, TX to New Orleans, LA
It is 514 mi between Garland and New Orleans β roughly 9h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
514 mi Β· 9h 27m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 167, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.2% moving from Garland to New Orleans β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in New Orleans run about 10.2% cheaper β ZHVI $286,805 β $242,493 (2026-03).
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 60.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.1Β°F moving to New Orleans per NOAA 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 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.43 |
New Orleans households earn about 10.2% less than Garland at the median β $74,717 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 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 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 does the job market in New Orleans compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 10.2% lower than Garland (92.597 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Garland vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $74,717 in Garland β a 25.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $286,805 in Garland β a 15.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 514 mi and the route typically takes 9h 27m via I 49 and US 167. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland 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 514 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· New Orleans, LA.