($1,374) Movers From Atlanta, GA to New Orleans, LA

What to know before moving from Atlanta to New Orleans

Moving from Atlanta to New Orleans means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Atlanta than in New Orleans, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Atlanta compares to New Orleans so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New Orleans are 8% lower than in Atlanta, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in New Orleans.
  Home prices in New Orleans are 40.3% lower than in Atlanta.
• Income in New Orleans is 22.7% lower than in Atlanta, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in New Orleans include Entergy, Ochsner Health System, and LCMC Health.
• The cost of living for a single person is the same in New Orleans and Atlanta. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New Orleans, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New Orleans is 1.1% higher than in Atlanta.
• The unemployment rate in New Orleans is 83.33% higher than in Atlanta.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in New Orleans, since the city’s sales taxes in New Orleans are 12.36% higher than in Atlanta.
• One perk of moving to New Orleans is paying less in state income taxes, which are 22.59% lower than in Atlanta.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,000.00 in New Orleans to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Atlanta.

How life is different in Atlanta vs. New Orleans

• New Orleans might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 23% less than Atlanta.
• Getting around New Orleans without a car might be more difficult than in Atlanta. New Orleans has a public transportation score of 7 out of 10, whereas Atlanta is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in New Orleans means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Atlanta. New Orleans is considered more walkable than Atlanta, with a score of 58 out of 100 versus 48 out of 100 in Atlanta. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, New Orleans is considered more bike-friendly than Atlanta in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. New Orleans has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, while Atlanta is rated as 42 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in New Orleans as Atlanta. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• New Orleans is generally as safe as Atlanta, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• You can breathe easy knowing that New Orleans has better air quality than in Atlanta. New Orleans has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Atlanta. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Atlanta vs. New Orleans move

• Weather: New Orleans has short, generally mild winters and hot, humid summers. The summer months are the wettest, while October is the driest month. Hurricanes pose a severe threat to the area, and the city is particularly at risk because of its low elevation, because it is surrounded by water from the north, east, and south and because of Louisiana's sinking coast.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Louisiana moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Louisiana does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New Orleans. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for free coverage at 60 cents per pound from movers. For full-value protection, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in New Orleans

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Crescent City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in New Orleans.

Helpful moving resources