($1,507) Movers From Ann Arbor, MI to New Orleans, LA

What to know before moving from Ann Arbor to New Orleans

Moving from Ann Arbor to New Orleans comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New Orleans is generally more expensive than Ann Arbor, 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 22% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 51.2% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• Income in New Orleans is 23.7% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 44.0% higher than in Ann Arbor. 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 47.9% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• The unemployment rate in New Orleans is 214.29% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in New Orleans, since the city’s sales taxes in New Orleans are 66.67% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• State income taxes are the same in New Orleans and Ann Arbor.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,320.77 in New Orleans to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How life is different in Ann Arbor vs. New Orleans

• The population of New Orleans is about 210% greater than Ann Arbor, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in New Orleans will be about the same as it currently is in Ann Arbor. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in New Orleans means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Ann Arbor. New Orleans is considered more walkable than Ann Arbor, with a score of 58 out of 100 versus 52 out of 100 in Ann Arbor. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in New Orleans, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Ann Arbor. While Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, New Orleans earned a 66. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in New Orleans is higher than in Ann Arbor, 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 31.0 in Ann Arbor. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’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 Ann Arbor, whose index is Ann Arbor's 79.18. 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that New Orleans has better air quality than in Ann Arbor. New Orleans has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Louisiana moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Louisiana doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to New Orleans. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in New Orleans

Ready to relocate to "Crescent City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in New Orleans.

Helpful moving resources