Key factors that impact the cost of your Tulsa to New Orleans movetoggle

The cost of Tulsa movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Tulsa to New Orleans (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,356, while larger moves may reach $8,538 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Tulsa.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $605 to $1,378, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Tulsa to New Orleans

Moving from Tulsa to New Orleans comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since New Orleans is generally more expensive than Tulsa, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Tulsa New Orleans
Average rent cost $1,199 $1,755
Average home value $199,876 $231,649
Average income (per capita) $52,438 $51,116
Cost of living (single person) $2,700 $3,134
Cost of living (family of 4) $2,850 $7,905
Unemployment rate 4.7% 11.0%
Sales tax 8.52% 10.0%
State income tax 4.75% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in New Orleans are 46% higher than in Tulsa, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Tulsa.
    Home prices in New Orleans are 15.9% higher than in Tulsa.
  • Income in New Orleans is 2.5% lower than in Tulsa, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in New Orleans include Entergy, Ochsner Health System, and LCMC Health.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in New Orleans, since the cost of living for a single person in New Orleans is 16.1% higher than in Tulsa. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™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 177.4% higher than in Tulsa.
  • The unemployment rate in New Orleans is 134.04% higher than in Tulsa.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in New Orleans, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in New Orleans are 17.37% higher than in Tulsa.
  • One perk of moving to New Orleans is paying less in state income taxes, which are 10.53% lower than in Tulsa.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,482.22 in New Orleans to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tulsa.

How life is different in Tulsa vs. New Orleans

New Orleans Tulsa
Population 383,997 413,066
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 4
Walkability score 58 39
Bike friendliness score 66 47
Crime Index 67.31 51.94
Safety Index 32.69 48.06
Air Quality Good Good
  • New Orleans might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 7% less than Tulsa.
  • New Orleans offers better access to buses and trains than Tulsa, based on public transportation ratings. New Orleans has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 4 in Tulsa. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in New Orleans means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Tulsa. New Orleans is considered more walkable than Tulsa, with a score of 58 out of 100 versus 39 out of 100 in Tulsa. A cityโ€™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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa is rated as 47 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in New Orleans is higher than in Tulsa, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 67.31 in New Orleans, it is 51.94 in Tulsa. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in New Orleans. With a crime index of 32.69, New Orleans ranks lower in overall safety than Tulsa, whose index is Tulsa's 48.06. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
  • The air quality in New Orleans and Tulsa is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Tulsa 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
  • Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโ€”some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • State licensing: If youโ€™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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Louisiana moving company\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in Louisiana, though it\โ€™s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
  • Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toNew Orleans Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in New Orleans

Now that youโ€™ve chosen "Crescent City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Central Business District
  • Freret
  • Gentilly Terrace
  • Old Aurora
  • West End

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Algiers Point
  • Bayou St. John
  • East Carrollton
  • Fillmore
  • West End

Things to do in New Orleans

After getting comfortable in your new Louisiana home, itโ€™s time to see what New Orleans is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife โ€” thereโ€™s plenty to check out:

  • Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in New Orleans include museums and art centers like the The National WWII Museum, Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA, and New Orleans Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s New Orleans City Park, Audubon Park, New Orleans Musical Legends Park, and Louis Armstrong Park โ€” and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
  • Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an New Orleans Saints (NFL), New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), New Orleans Jesters (NPSL), or Big Easy Rollergirls (WFTDA) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Tulsa to New Orleans?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Tulsa to New Orleans are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Tulsa are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Tulsa to New Orleans?

With many people choosing to move from Tulsa to New Orleans in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Tulsa to New Orleans take?

Moving from Tulsa, OK to New Orleans, LA covers 654 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Tulsa movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in New Orleans.

Helpful moving resources