Moving from Killeen, TX to New Orleans, LA
A move from Killeen, TX to New Orleans, LA covers 541 mi and around 10h 21m 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.
541 mi · 10h 21m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 6, TX 99 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, Houston, College Station |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Killeen (91.132) 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
Moderate housing step-up: New Orleans at $242,493 is 1.6% above Killeen at $219,957.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 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: KILLEEN, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 30 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 1.6% below Killeen ($58,339 → $55,339, 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 — 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
Is New Orleans more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 1.6% higher than Killeen (92.597 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 5.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 10.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Killeen 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 541 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 Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 541 mi and the route typically takes 10h 21m via I 10 and TX 6. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 66.6°F in Killeen (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 34.8 in.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · New Orleans, LA.