Moving from Pasadena, TX to New Orleans, LA
It is a 353 mi drive, roughly 6h 44m, between Pasadena, TX and New Orleans, LA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
353 mi Β· 6h 44m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, SHT, I 610 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Houston, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has New Orleans at 92.597 vs Pasadena at 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (71.1Β°F) and New Orleans (70.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
New Orleans gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.43 |
Households in New Orleans earn about 6.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New Orleans MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 64,460 | $38,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 59,980 | $26,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 48,630 | $37,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 48,580 | $31,100 |
| Management Occupations | 33,120 | $101,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in New Orleans average 91Β°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: New Orleans averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit 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 Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 514,800 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 6.1% lower than Pasadena (92.597 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 353 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via I 10 and SHT. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 11.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, TX Β· New Orleans, LA.