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City Relocation Guide

Moving to New Orleans, LA

Population 383,997 · MSY Airport · Central Time

Everything you need to know about housing, neighborhoods, and the local lifestyle before you pack your boxes.

Median Home

$250,000

Rent (1BR)

$1,200/mo

Cost of Living

97 / 100

Unemployment

4.8%

Sunny Days

216/yr

Walkability

Somewhat Walkable

What It's Really Like in New Orleans

America's most culturally unique city with unmatched food, music, and festival culture. Living in New Orleans is completely different from visiting — the pace of life, community, and daily joys are genuine but so are the infrastructure challenges.

Neighborhood Guide

Where to live in New Orleans based on your lifestyle and budget.

Garden District

upscale

Mansion-lined Magazine Street with antique shops, fine dining, and streetcar access.

Avg Rent

$1,500

Home Price

$500,000

Walkability

High

Bywater

artsy

Colorful shotgun houses with Bacchanal Wine bar, local music, and a strong creative community.

Avg Rent

$1,200

Home Price

$350,000

Walkability

High

Mid-City

family-friendly

Near City Park and the Greenway with diverse dining and genuine neighborhood character.

Avg Rent

$1,100

Home Price

$280,000

Walkability

Medium

Uptown

family-friendly

Tulane and Loyola area with Magazine Street shopping, oak-lined streets, and classic New Orleans architecture.

Avg Rent

$1,300

Home Price

$400,000

Walkability

Medium

Cost of Living Breakdown

Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.

Groceries

100

At average

Housing

78

22% below avg

Transportation

98

2% below avg

Healthcare

94

6% below avg

Utilities

102

2% above avg

Best Neighborhoods By Situation

Best for Families

Mid-City — $1,100/mo rent
Uptown — $1,300/mo rent

Most Affordable

Mid-City — $1,100/mo rent
Bywater — $1,200/mo rent

Most Walkable

Garden District — walkability: high
Bywater — walkability: high

Getting Around New Orleans

Walkability: Somewhat Walkable

New Orleans has moderate walkability. Some neighborhoods are walkable for daily errands, but most residents will need a car for commuting and larger shopping trips.

Airport: MSY

New Orleans is served by MSY airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.

Jobs & Economy

Median Income

$43,258

Unemployment Rate

4.8%

State Income Tax

1.85-4.25%

Cost of Living Index

97

Top Industries

TourismHealthcareEnergyPort/ShippingEducation

Major Employers

Ochsner HealthTulane UniversityEntergyLockheed MartinCity of New Orleans

Popular Routes to New Orleans

People are moving to New Orleans from these cities.

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

350 miles5hr driveI-10 West

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

470 miles7hr driveI-59 North

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

510 miles7.5hr driveI-20 West

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

530 miles8hr driveI-59 North

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

510 miles7.5hr driveI-10 West

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

1,519 miles27.6hr driveI-65 North

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

2,170 miles39.5hr driveI-10 West

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

1,086 miles19.7hr driveI-35 North

New Orleans, LANew Orleans

1,707 miles31hr driveI-10 West

Moving from New Orleans to Other States

Route guides from New Orleans, LA to every US state.

New Orleans → California New Orleans → Texas New Orleans → Florida New Orleans → New York New Orleans → Pennsylvania New Orleans → Illinois New Orleans → Ohio New Orleans → Georgia New Orleans → North Carolina New Orleans → Michigan New Orleans → New Jersey New Orleans → Virginia New Orleans → Washington New Orleans → Arizona New Orleans → Massachusetts New Orleans → Tennessee New Orleans → Indiana New Orleans → Maryland New Orleans → Missouri New Orleans → Wisconsin New Orleans → Colorado New Orleans → Minnesota New Orleans → South Carolina New Orleans → Alabama New Orleans → Kentucky New Orleans → Oregon New Orleans → Oklahoma New Orleans → Connecticut New Orleans → Utah New Orleans → Iowa New Orleans → Nevada New Orleans → Arkansas New Orleans → Mississippi New Orleans → Kansas New Orleans → New Mexico New Orleans → Nebraska New Orleans → Idaho New Orleans → West Virginia New Orleans → Hawaii New Orleans → New Hampshire New Orleans → Maine New Orleans → Rhode Island New Orleans → Montana New Orleans → Delaware New Orleans → South Dakota New Orleans → North Dakota New Orleans → Alaska New Orleans → District of Columbia New Orleans → Vermont New Orleans → Wyoming

Moving from New Orleans to Metro Areas

Route guides from New Orleans to major metropolitan areas.

New Orleans → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ New Orleans → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA New Orleans → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN New Orleans → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA New Orleans → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX New Orleans → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV New Orleans → Trenton-Princeton, NJ New Orleans → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT New Orleans → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD New Orleans → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL New Orleans → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ New Orleans → Vallejo, CA New Orleans → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX New Orleans → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA New Orleans → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD New Orleans → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA New Orleans → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH New Orleans → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO New Orleans → Kenosha, WI New Orleans → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Moving from New Orleans to Major Cities

Route guides from New Orleans to the largest US cities.

New Orleans → New York, NY New Orleans → Los Angeles, CA New Orleans → Chicago, IL New Orleans → Houston, TX New Orleans → Phoenix, AZ New Orleans → Philadelphia, PA New Orleans → San Antonio, TX New Orleans → San Diego, CA New Orleans → Dallas, TX New Orleans → Austin, TX New Orleans → San Jose, CA New Orleans → Jacksonville, FL New Orleans → Fort Worth, TX New Orleans → Columbus, OH New Orleans → Charlotte, NC New Orleans → Indianapolis, IN New Orleans → San Francisco, CA New Orleans → Seattle, WA New Orleans → Denver, CO New Orleans → Nashville, TN New Orleans → Oklahoma City, OK New Orleans → Washington, DC New Orleans → El Paso, TX New Orleans → Boston, MA New Orleans → Portland, OR New Orleans → Las Vegas, NV New Orleans → Memphis, TN New Orleans → Louisville, KY New Orleans → Baltimore, MD New Orleans → Milwaukee, WI

Your New Orleans Newcomer Checklist

A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.

30

First 30 Days

Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
Register to vote at your new address
Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
Find a primary care doctor & dentist
Open a local bank account if needed
Explore your neighborhood on foot

60

Days 30–60

Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
Attend a local event or festival
Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself

90

Days 60–90

Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
Build a professional network in your industry
Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
Explore day-trip destinations nearby
Start feeling like a local — give directions!
Invite friends & family to visit your new home

Ready to Move to New Orleans?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with relocations to New Orleans, LA.