Moving from New Orleans, LA to Arlington, TX
A move from New Orleans, LA to Arlington, TX covers 536 mi and around 9h 50m 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.
536 mi Β· 9h 50m by car Β· TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 49, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.3% pricier overall in Arlington than New Orleans on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arlington typical home at $310,971 is 11.3% above New Orleans at $242,493 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | New Orleans | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 36.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.9Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 11.3% above New Orleans ($55,339 vs $73,519, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Arlington average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 536 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $55,339 in New Orleans β a 32.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arlington, TX from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 536 mi and the route typically takes 9h 50m via I 20 and I 49. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $242,493 in New Orleans β a 28.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Arlington more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 11.3% higher than New Orleans (103.09 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 514,800 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 New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA Β· Arlington, TX.