Things to know before moving from Iowa to New Orleans, LA

Cost of living: Iowa vs New Orleans, LA

Iowa New Orleans
Average rent cost $914 $1,755
Average home value $220,277 $231,649
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $51,116
Unemployment rate 3% 11%
State income tax 4% 4%
  • Rent is about 92% more expensive in New Orleans than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 5% higher in New Orleans than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 28% lower in New Orleans than in Iowa.
  • New Orleans has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 267%.
  • Income taxes are 3% lower in New Orleans than in Iowa.

How life is different in New Orleans from Iowa

New Orleans Iowa
Population 383,997 3,207,004
Political leaning Democratic 51-46 Republican 53-45
Summer high 92ºF 84ºF
Winter low 45ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 64" 35"
Annual snow 0" 30"
Crime index 67.31 16.18
  • The population of New Orleans is approximately 88% lower than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, New Orleans voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in New Orleans is 92ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New Orleans reaches the temperature of 45ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 64 inches of annual rainfall in New Orleans vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In New Orleans, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • New Orleans has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 67.31 vs 16.18.

Things to do in New Orleans

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in New Orleans.

Museums in New Orleanstoggle

  • The National WWII Museum
  • Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
  • New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
  • The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA
  • New Orleans Museum of Art
  • The Presbytere
  • The Historic New Orleans Collection
  • Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture
  • Memorial Hall Confederate Civil War Museum
  • New Orleans Jazz Museum
  • Ogden Museum of Southern Art
  • Backstreet Cultural Museum
  • Cabildo
  • Southern Food and Beverage Museum
  • New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

Parks in New Orleanstoggle

  • New Orleans City Park
  • Audubon Park
  • New Orleans Musical Legends Park
  • Louis Armstrong Park
  • Woldenberg Riverfront Park
  • Crescent Park
  • Washington Artillery Park
  • Latrobe Park
  • Washington Square Park
  • Coliseum Square Park
  • Lakeshore Park
  • Richard and Anne Bloch's Cancer Survivors Park and Plaza
  • Bienville Place

Sports Teams in New Orleanstoggle

  • New Orleans Saints (NFL)
  • New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)
  • New Orleans Jesters (NPSL)
  • Big Easy Rollergirls (WFTDA)

Universities in New Orleanstoggle

  • Tulane University
  • Loyola University New Orleans
  • Xavier University of Louisiana
  • University of Holy Cross
  • Dillard University
  • Southern University at New Orleans
  • University of New Orleans

Other considerations when moving to New Orleans, LA

  • 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 Louisiana. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

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

The time frame for a move from Iowa to New Orleans, LA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Iowa, the longer the drive time to New Orleans will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to New Orleans from Iowa can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Iowa to New Orleans?

Because of the 1008-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa to New Orleans as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to New Orleans, LA?

With the summer highs of 92ºF and the winter lows of 45ºF, most people move to New Orleans from Iowa during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to New Orleans during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources