($1,437) Movers From Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA

What to know before moving from Philadelphia to New Orleans

Moving from Philadelphia to New Orleans comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New Orleans is generally more expensive than Philadelphia, it’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:

• Rent prices in New Orleans are 4% higher than in Philadelphia, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
  Home prices in New Orleans are 6.8% higher than in Philadelphia.
• Income in New Orleans is 27.7% lower than in Philadelphia, 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 23.3% higher than in Philadelphia. 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 27.7% higher than in Philadelphia.
• The unemployment rate in New Orleans is 3.77% higher than in Philadelphia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in New Orleans, since the city’s sales taxes in New Orleans are 25.00% higher than in Philadelphia.
• State income taxes in New Orleans are 38.44% higher than in Philadelphia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,700.12 in New Orleans to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How life is different in Philadelphia vs. New Orleans

• New Orleans might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 76% less than Philadelphia.
• Getting around New Orleans without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. New Orleans has a public transportation score of 7 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• New Orleans neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Philadelphia. Based on its score of 58 out of 100, New Orleans isn’t as walkable as Philadelphia, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• New Orleans and Philadelphia are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 66 and 67 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in New Orleans as Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia, 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.
• The air quality in New Orleans and Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Louisiana moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Louisiana, though it\’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 you’ve chosen "Crescent City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans to check out.

Helpful moving resources