Cost guide · Updated Aug 14, 2026
Moving cost in New Orleans in 2026
A local 2-bedroom move in New Orleans runs $750 to $2,100 in 2026 — median around $1,100 for three movers and five hours. Raised houses are the local geometry: a shotgun or a raised basement home puts the front door four to eight feet above the sidewalk, and every item goes up those steps.
Typical range
$750 – $2,100
~$1,100 for a 2-BR local move · 3 movers, ~5 hrs
By scope
| Scope | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-BR | $425 – $775 | 2 movers, 3 hrs |
| 2-BR shotgun or apartment | $925 – $1,500 | 3 movers, 4–6 hrs |
| 3-BR house | $1,500 – $2,500 | 4 movers, 6–8 hrs |
| Hourly reference | $100 – $180 / hr | 2-mover $100–135 · 3-mover $135–180 |
What swings the price
- Raised houses on piers, which add a steep front stair at one or both ends.
- French Quarter and Marigny street access, where trucks often cannot legally stop at the door.
- Hurricane season from June through November, which compresses bookings after any named storm.
- Summer heat and humidity, which shorten the productive part of the day.
- Festival season street closures, which can make a block unreachable on the day.
New Orleans specifics
New Orleans builds up because it floods, and the result is that a great many houses sit on piers with a front stair of four to eight feet. That stair is not a detail — it is a stair at both ends if both properties are raised, and it turns a flat carry into a lift on every single item. Crews who work here price it in. What catches people out is festival and parade season, when a scheduled street closure can make your block simply unreachable on move day: check the parade route calendar before you pick a date in the spring.
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FAQs
How much do movers cost per hour in New Orleans?
$100–$135/hr for two movers with a truck and $135–$180/hr for three, plus a travel charge. Most companies hold a three-hour minimum.
Why do raised houses cost more to move into?
Because the front stair of four to eight feet means every item gets lifted rather than rolled, and if both ends are raised you pay for it twice. Expect an extra hour on a standard 2-BR job and mention the raise when you request the quote.
Can a moving truck park in the French Quarter?
Rarely at your door. Quarter and Marigny streets are narrow, one-way, and heavily restricted, so crews park where they can and carry. Ask about long-carry pricing up front, and check whether your building has any loading provision at all.
Should I avoid moving during festival season?
Check the calendar rather than avoiding it outright. A parade route or festival closure can make your block unreachable on the day, which means a rescheduled move. The route schedules are published in advance — cross-check before you lock a spring date.
How does hurricane season affect moving in New Orleans?
A named storm freezes bookings for days and then everyone rebooks into the same week, spiking rates and emptying the calendar. If you move between June and November, keep a flexible backup date and get the mover's storm policy in writing.
Sources
Related cost guides
Prices refresh quarterly. Last review: Aug 14, 2026.