Moving to
New Orleans
The birthplace of jazz, Mardi Gras, and some of the best food on Earth. Here's everything you need to know about living in NOLA, from neighborhoods and housing costs to schools and how to buy a home.
At A Glance
New Orleans
By The Numbers
The numbers that matter most when you're evaluating a move to New Orleans.
Why New Orleans
Why People Move to New Orleans
Culture, food, and a way of life you won't find anywhere else in America.
World-Class Culture
Birthplace of jazz, home to Mardi Gras, French Quarter, and over 130 annual festivals. The cultural calendar never stops.
Legendary Food Scene
From po'boys and gumbo to James Beard Award-winning restaurants, New Orleans is one of America's premier food cities.
Diverse Housing Stock
Historic shotgun homes, Creole cottages, Garden District mansions, and modern condos. Median price of $306K is still below the national average for major cities.
Growing Job Market
Healthcare, tourism, energy, tech, and the film industry all contribute to a diverse economy. Ochsner Health alone employs over 32,000 people regionally.
Subtropical Climate
Mild winters, year-round outdoor living, and proximity to the Gulf Coast. Average annual temperature of 69°F with 216 sunny days.
No State Tax on Most Retirement
Louisiana's flat 3% income tax exempts most retirement income. Combined with low property taxes, it's attractive for retirees relocating from high-tax states.
Cost Of Living
New Orleans Cost of Living Breakdown
How New Orleans compares to the Louisiana average and the national average across major spending categories.
| Category | New Orleans | Louisiana Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (Median) | $306,000 | $253,100 | $368,581 |
| Rent (1BR) | $1,350/mo | $906/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Groceries | 99 index | 96 index | 100 index |
| Utilities | 72 index | 82 index | 100 index |
| Property Tax | 0.55% | 0.53% | 1.1% |
| Transportation | 96 index | 97 index | 100 index |
Local averages. Your own numbers move with the property, the parish and the insurance quote.
The Line That Is Not On This Table
Homeowners insurance. In Louisiana it is the expensive part of the payment, not the taxes, and it goes straight into your escrow, which means it goes straight into what you qualify for. I quote it before we set your budget instead of after.
Neighborhoods
Notable Neighborhoods in New Orleans
New Orleans is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Here are some of the most popular for newcomers.
Uptown
Tree-lined St. Charles Avenue, the iconic streetcar, Audubon Park, and some of the city's best schools including Isidore Newman and Academy of the Sacred Heart. Historic homes range from $400K to well over $1M.
Garden District
Grand antebellum mansions, Magazine Street shopping, and a walkable, historic atmosphere. One of the most desirable (and expensive) addresses in the city.
Mid-City
Diverse, central, and home to Bayou St. John. Great restaurants, easy access to City Park, and a mix of historic shotguns and renovated homes. More affordable than Uptown.
Lakeview
Rebuilt after Katrina with modern construction. Suburban feel within city limits, near Lake Pontchartrain. Family-friendly with newer homes in the $300K, $500K range.
Bywater & Marigny
Artsy, walkable, and close to the French Quarter. Colorful shotgun homes, live music venues, and a strong creative community. Growing rapidly in popularity.
Metairie (Jefferson Parish)
Suburban living just minutes from downtown. Top-rated schools, lower insurance costs, and median home prices around $275K. Popular with families.
Schools
Schools & Education
New Orleans has a unique charter school system, one of the largest in the country, giving parents significant school choice.
Charter School System
New Orleans operates almost entirely on a charter school model through NOLA Public Schools. Parents can apply to schools across the city through the OneApp enrollment system, meaning you're not locked into a neighborhood school.
Top-Rated Schools
- Benjamin Franklin High School, consistently ranked as one of the top public high schools in Louisiana
- Lusher Charter School, highly rated K, 12 school in Uptown
- Isidore Newman School, prestigious private school on St. Charles Avenue
- Academy of the Sacred Heart, highly regarded private school in Uptown
Nearby Suburban Districts
- St. Charles Parish Schools, rated A by Niche, highest-rated district in the metro area
- St. Tammany Parish, large district with strong schools on the Northshore
- Jefferson Parish, Metairie and Kenner offer solid school options
Jobs And Economy
Jobs & Economy
New Orleans has a diversified economy anchored by healthcare, tourism, energy, and a growing tech sector.
Top Employers
- Ochsner Health System, 32,000+ regional employees, the largest private employer in the state
- LCMC Health, operates University Medical Center, Children's Hospital, and other facilities
- Tulane University, major research university and employer
- Entergy, Fortune 500 energy company headquartered in NOLA
- Port of New Orleans, handles 100M+ tons of cargo annually
- City of New Orleans, one of the largest public-sector employers
Key Industries
- Healthcare, the region's largest employment sector
- Tourism & Hospitality, 80M+ visitors annually fuel the service economy
- Energy & Petrochemicals, oil and gas industry has deep roots
- Film & Digital Media, Louisiana's tax incentives have made NOLA a top filming destination
- Higher Education, Tulane, Loyola, UNO, Xavier, Dillard, and SUNO
Buying Here
Buying a Home in New Orleans
What you need to know before buying, from flood zones and insurance to the best loan programs for New Orleans buyers.
Insurance & Flood Zones
Property insurance in New Orleans is higher than the national average due to hurricane and flood risk. Most properties require flood insurance, and costs vary significantly by zone. Factor this into your monthly housing budget, it can add $100, $400/month or more depending on the property.
Loan Programs Available
New Orleans buyers have access to every major loan program. FHA loans are popular for first-time buyers, and many suburban areas qualify for USDA zero-down financing.
FHA Loan
Low down payment and flexible credit. The loan most first-time buyers here actually use.
FHA LoanUSDA Loan
$0 down on an eligible address. Eligibility runs off the address, not the city name.
USDA LoanConventional Loan
From 3% down with mortgage insurance that comes off at 20% equity instead of riding the loan.
Conventional LoanFirst-Time Buyers
Louisiana assistance programs compared, and a straight answer on whether now is your time.
First-Time BuyersNew Orleans Mortgage Broker
Every program we run in New Orleans, priced side by side on your real numbers.
New Orleans Mortgage BrokerHonest Assessment
Pros & Cons of Moving to New Orleans
Every place has tradeoffs. Anybody telling you New Orleans has none is selling you something. Here is the list I would give a friend.
What You Get
- Unmatched culture, music, and food scene
- Housing still below national average for a major city
- Low property taxes (0.55%)
- ᚹae; Diverse economy with growing healthcare and tech sectors
- Mild winters and year-round outdoor living
- c17b6; Strong charter school system with city-wide school choice
What You Sign Up For
- ᚹac; Hurricane risk and below-sea-level geography
- ᙕaa; High property insurance and flood insurance costs
- Intense summer humidity (79% avg)
- Aging infrastructure, roads and drainage need improvement
- Higher crime rates in some neighborhoods
- Cost of living higher than most Louisiana cities
New Orleans FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Still Deciding?
Get A Straight Answer On Your Own Numbers
A soft credit check tells you where you stand. Nothing hits your report until you decide to move forward.
Compare Markets
Other Louisiana Cities
Worth Looking At
Prices, insurance and school districts change inside an hour's drive. If New Orleans is not quite it, start here. The statewide relocation guide covers all 32.
Real Closings
Real Clients.
Real Closings.
Real families we have helped get from pre-approval to keys in hand.
Find Out What A New Orleans Payment
Actually Looks Like
Tell me roughly what you want to spend and I will come back with the real number, insurance and parish taxes included, and tell you straight whether the timing is right. Free quote, no credit pull to start.
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