($1,379) Movers From Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA

What to know before moving from Charleston to New Orleans

Moving from Charleston to New Orleans means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Charleston than in New Orleans, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Charleston compares to New Orleans so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New Orleans are 30% lower than in Charleston, 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 58.6% lower than in Charleston.
• Income in New Orleans is 17.9% lower than in Charleston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in New Orleans include Entergy, Ochsner Health System, and LCMC Health.
• The cost of living for a single person in New Orleans is 40.9% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family is the same in New Orleans and Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in New Orleans is 175.00% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in New Orleans, since the city’s sales taxes in New Orleans are 11.11% higher than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to New Orleans is paying less in state income taxes, which are 39.29% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,773.96 in New Orleans to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. New Orleans

• The population of New Orleans is about 156% greater than Charleston, 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.
• New Orleans offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. New Orleans has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New Orleans means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. New Orleans is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 58 out of 100 versus 40 out of 100 in Charleston. A city’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 Charleston 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 Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
• The crime rate in New Orleans is higher than in Charleston, 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 44.97 in Charleston. 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 Charleston, whose index is Charleston's 55.03. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Louisiana, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Louisiana doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to New Orleans without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in New Orleans

With your sights set on "Crescent City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in New Orleans.

Helpful moving resources