Moving from New Orleans, LA to College Station, TX
Moving from New Orleans, LA to College Station, TX covers 431 mi and about 8h 11m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
431 mi · 8h 11m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 99 TOLL, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in College Station and New Orleans is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in College Station is 1.8% above New Orleans — $242,493 vs $349,041 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperatures in New Orleans (70.9°F) and College Station (69.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.74 |
Median household income in College Station is 1.8% below New Orleans ($55,339 → $51,776, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
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 College Station average 95°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
How does the job market in College Station compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is College Station more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 1.8% lower than New Orleans (90.951 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 43.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is College Station, TX from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 431 mi and the route typically takes 8h 11m via I 10 and TX 99 TOLL. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 431 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · College Station, TX.