Moving from Knoxville, TN to New Orleans, LA
A move from Knoxville, TN to New Orleans, LA covers 588 mi and around 10h 48m of driving through 5 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.
588 mi Β· 10h 48m by car Β· LA β MS β AL β GA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β MS β AL β GA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 75, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
New Orleans and Knoxville are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.569 vs 92.597); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: New Orleans typical home at $242,493 is 0.0% under Knoxville at $369,216 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 60.1" |
New Orleans runs 13.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (57.9Β°F vs 70.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.43 |
Median household income in New Orleans is 0.0% above Knoxville ($50,994 β $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 Tennessee 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 588 mi and the route typically takes 10h 48m via I 59 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 8.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 34.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville 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 588 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 Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· New Orleans, LA.