Moving from New Orleans, LA to Downey, CA
Moving from New Orleans, LA to Downey, CA is a 1901 mi cross-country relocation β about 33h 8m of driving through 5 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1901 mi Β· 33h 8m by car Β· LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Downey runs 22.6% higher than New Orleans β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.597 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Downey is 22.6% above New Orleans β $242,493 vs $888,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | New Orleans | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 12.0" |
Downey is 6.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Downey is 22.6% above New Orleans ($55,339 vs $87,400, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1901 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Downey compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Downey, CA from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 1901 mi and the route typically takes 33h 8m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $242,493 in New Orleans β a 266.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Downey more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 22.6% higher than New Orleans (113.566 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 Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $55,339 in New Orleans β a 57.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Downey, CA.