Moving from New Orleans, LA to Huntsville, AL
It is a 426 mi drive, roughly 7h 48m, between New Orleans, LA and Huntsville, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
426 mi · 7h 48m by car · LA → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 65, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.5% above New Orleans — $242,493 → $287,569 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 54.3" |
Annual temperature drops 8.0°F moving to Huntsville per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Huntsville gets around 2.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.33 |
Huntsville households earn about 0.5% more than New Orleans at the median — $55,339 → $70,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,600 | $39,750 |
| Production Occupations | 22,310 | $44,450 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,530 | $38,160 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,460 | $94,520 |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 19,870 | $107,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Huntsville average 92°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: Huntsville averages 54.3 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 426 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 18.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Huntsville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 62.9°F in Huntsville vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (8.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.4 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 54.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How far is Huntsville, AL from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 426 mi and the route typically takes 7h 48m via I 59 and I 65. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 27.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Huntsville more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 0.5% higher than New Orleans (93.072 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 250,940 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 · Huntsville, AL.