Moving from St. Louis to New Orleans?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in New Orleans, you'd need to earn:
$73,035/year
▼ $1,965 less than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $73,035 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,682 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,528 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,059 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$2,191 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $57,575 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -2.6% in New Orleans
- Housing is +8.9% in New Orleans
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $1,099/year in taxes in New Orleans
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~600 miles
DIY Truck
$3,000
Container
$5,000
Full-Service
$7,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to New Orleans
| Your St. Louis Salary | New Orleans Equivalent | Difference | New Orleans Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,952 | -$1,048 | $32,168 |
| $50,000 | $48,690 | -$1,310 | $39,700 |
| $60,000 | $58,428 | -$1,572 | $47,233 |
| $75,000 | $73,035 | -$1,965 | $57,575 |
| $100,000 | $97,380 | -$2,620 | $73,971 |
| $150,000 | $146,070 | -$3,930 | $106,210 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and New Orleans Compare
Housing (9% more expensive in New Orleans)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in New Orleans rents for $1,410/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $243,000 in New Orleans vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. Louisiana has a flat 3.0% state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to New Orleans would save you about $1,099/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
New Orleans's overall cost of living is 2.6% lower than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, New Orleans: 92.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to New Orleans move. Average cost: $3,000–$7,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in New Orleans
Average 1BR rent in New Orleans: $1,410/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →