Moving from New Orleans, LA to Austin, TX
A move from New Orleans, LA to Austin, TX 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
| New Orleans | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.9% pricier overall in Austin than New Orleans on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 5.9% above New Orleans at $242,493 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 36.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.9°F vs 70.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 5.9% above New Orleans ($55,339 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 — 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 Austin average 97°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 Austin?
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.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 109.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from New Orleans, LA?
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.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 65.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 5.9% higher than New Orleans (98.066 vs 92.597, 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 New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Austin, TX.