Moving from New Orleans, LA to Orlando, FL
It is 643 mi between New Orleans and Orlando — roughly 11h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
643 mi · 11h 48m by car · LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, FL 528 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, Tallahassee, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.5% above New Orleans — 92.597 → 101.418 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.5% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 51.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.46 |
Orlando households earn about 9.5% more than New Orleans at the median — $55,339 → $69,268 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Orlando 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: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Orlando, FL from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 643 mi and the route typically takes 11h 48m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 54.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Orlando more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 9.5% higher than New Orleans (101.418 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 60.1 in.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 25.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 643 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 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 · Orlando, FL.