Best Side Hustles in New Orleans

The best side hustles in New Orleans don’t look like the best side hustles anywhere else. That’s the opportunity.

This is not a city built on spreadsheets and cubicles. It’s built on rhythm. Tourism. Food. Festivals. Architecture. Nightlife. And a steady flow of visitors who arrive ready to spend.

If you’re looking to boost your income, diversify your revenue streams, or simply protect yourself from economic swings, the best side hustles in New Orleans tap directly into what makes the Crescent City tick.

Let’s break it down.

Why New Orleans Is a Side Hustle Goldmine

New Orleans has something most cities don’t: built-in demand.

365-day tourism.
World-famous festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
A food culture people travel across the country to experience.
Historic neighborhoods that create constant real estate turnover.

When I look at the best side hustles in New Orleans, I don’t just ask, “What makes money?” I ask, “Where is demand already happening?”

Because smart side hustles follow traffic.

And in New Orleans, traffic means tourists, renters, partygoers, and small business owners who need help.

What Makes a Side Hustle Work Here?

Not every hustle fits this city. The ones that win usually share three traits:

Tourism-aligned
Flexible around festivals
Community-connected

If your income model benefits from people visiting, celebrating, eating, or renting, you’re on the right track.

1. Airbnb Co-Hosting & Short-Term Rental Services

You don’t need to own property to profit from it.

Thousands of short-term rental properties operate across neighborhoods like the Marigny, Mid-City, and Uptown. Many owners live out of state. They need help.

Here’s where opportunity lives:

Guest communication
Cleaning coordination
Listing optimization
Turnover management
Restocking supplies

You can position yourself as a co-host and earn 10–20% of booking revenue.

That adds up quickly.

Action Plan:

Join local Airbnb host Facebook groups.
Offer a flat-rate trial package.
Create a simple services page outlining pricing.

Startup cost? Minimal.

Scalability? Strong.

This consistently ranks among the best side hustles in New Orleans because tourism doesn’t sleep.

2. Festival & Event Gig Work

Mardi Gras alone creates thousands of temporary income opportunities.

But don’t stop there.

Jazz Fest. Essence Fest. French Quarter Fest. Voodoo Festival. Sporting events. Private weddings.

Event-driven cities create event-driven income.

Roles That Pay:

Bartending
Event setup & breakdown
Security staff
Vendor booth assistance
Temporary brand ambassadors

If you’re willing to work long days during peak seasons, you can stack serious cash in short bursts.

And here’s the strategic angle: treat festivals as quarterly income spikes. Plan around them.

3. Food-Based Side Hustles

This city runs on flavor.

If you can cook, bake, prep, or package, you’re in a strong position.

Options include:

Cottage bakery items (king cakes, pralines, cookies)
Meal prep for busy professionals
Catering small gatherings
Private chef experiences

Louisiana has cottage food laws that allow certain homemade goods to be sold legally from home. Check local requirements before launching.

The key? Specialization.

Don’t try to compete with restaurants. Offer something niche. Gluten-free beignets. Vegan Creole meals. Gourmet brunch boxes.

The best side hustles in New Orleans succeed when they lean into culture while serving unmet demand.

4. Tour Guide or Experience Host

Visitors don’t want generic tours. They want stories.

New Orleans is layered with history—architecture, music, food, and folklore.

You can create:

Walking food tours
Haunted history tours
Garden District architecture tours
Photography walks
Cocktail culture experiences

Platforms like Airbnb Experiences and Viator make it easy to list.

Quick Reality Check:

You don’t need a tourism degree.
You need strong storytelling skills and local knowledge.

If you can hold attention for two hours and deliver value, this can become one of the best side hustles in New Orleans.

5. Rideshare & Pedicab Driving

Simple. Flexible. Event-responsive.

When festivals hit, rideshare demand spikes. Surge pricing can dramatically increase hourly earnings.

Pedicabs are especially strong in high-tourism zones like the French Quarter.

Smart Strategy:

Work selectively.
Target:

Airport rush hours
Major event exits
Friday and Saturday evenings

Treat it like a calculated deployment of time—not a full-time grind.

6. Freelance Creative Services

New Orleans is creative by default.

Restaurants need content. Musicians need promo materials. Event planners need photographers. Small brands need social media help.

If you have skills in:

Photography
Graphic design
Social media management
Copywriting
Video editing

You’re sitting on scalable income.

The advantage? Remote flexibility. Low startup cost. High margins.

I’ve seen freelancers charge:

$500–$1,500 per month for local restaurant social media
$250+ per event for photography
$1,000+ per branding project

This category remains one of the best side hustles in New Orleans because small businesses constantly cycle in and out. New demand appears weekly.

7. Property & Home Services

Not glamorous. Profitable.

With high rental turnover and humid weather conditions, home services stay in demand.

Examples:

Pressure washing
Lawn care
Handyman services
Short-term rental cleaning
Window washing

Humidity and storms accelerate wear and tear. That’s job security.

You don’t need a huge team to start. One truck. Basic equipment. Smart marketing.

8. Reselling & Flipping

Magazine Street alone proves the appetite for vintage and curated goods.

Opportunities include:

Vintage clothing resale
Furniture flipping
Festival merchandise resale
Thrift arbitrage

Buy low. Restore or reposition. Sell high.

Instagram Marketplace and Facebook Marketplace are your allies here.

This is one of the quieter but consistent best side hustles in New Orleans for those who enjoy sourcing and creativity.

9. Online & Remote Side Hustles

You don’t have to rely on the local economy.

Remote work expands your market.

Consider:

Virtual assistant services
Selling digital planners
Freelance writing
Affiliate marketing
Online tutoring

New Orleans’ lower cost of living compared to major metros can work in your favor. Earn nationally. Spend locally.

Quick Comparison

Side Hustle	Startup Cost	Flexibility	Income Potential	Seasonal
Airbnb Co-Host	Low–Medium	High	$$$	No
Festival Gig Work	Low	Medium	$$–$$$	Yes
Food-Based	Medium	Medium	$$$	Somewhat
Freelancing	Low	Very High	$$$	No
Home Services	Medium	Medium	$$$	No

How to Choose the Right One

Ask yourself three questions:

1. What assets do I already have?

Car?
Kitchen skills?
Design ability?
Network?

2. How much time can I realistically commit?

Weekend-only hustles differ from daily micro-gigs.

3. Can I handle seasonal fluctuation?

Tourism dips in summer heat. It surges during events.

The best side hustles in New Orleans align with your schedule, not fight it.

Estimated Monthly Earnings

Let’s stay realistic.

Airbnb co-host (2 properties): $800–$2,000/month
Festival spike month: $2,000+ during peak season
Freelance client base (3 local clients): $1,500–$4,000/month
Rideshare (selective shifts): $800–$1,200/month

Now combine two streams.

That’s how you build stability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring permit requirements
Underpricing your services
Failing to plan for slow seasons
Not marketing locally

Don’t assume word-of-mouth will carry you. Promote yourself intentionally.

Marketing Your Side Hustle in New Orleans

This city runs on relationships.

Use:

Neighborhood Facebook groups
Instagram for visual services
Networking events
Partnerships with local businesses

If you clean short-term rentals, connect with hosts.
If you offer photography, connect with wedding planners.
and if you cook, partner with local pop-ups.

The best side hustles in New Orleans grow faster when tied into existing ecosystems.

Final Thoughts

New Orleans rewards personality. And hustle.

You don’t need ten income streams. You need two solid ones that fit your lifestyle and the rhythm of the city.

Start small. Test demand. Refine your offer. Scale gradually.

The best side hustles in New Orleans aren’t just about extra money. They’re about control. Flexibility. Resilience.

In a city built on celebration and culture, income opportunities are everywhere.

You just have to position yourself where the demand already exists.

And then show up consistently.

That’s where real side income begins.

FAQs

What are the best side hustles in New Orleans right now?

Airbnb co-hosting, festival gig work, freelance creative services, and food-based businesses are among the best side hustles in New Orleans due to steady tourism demand.

Do I need permits to start a side hustle in New Orleans?

Some hustles like food sales, street vending, or short-term rentals require permits, so always check local city and parish regulations first.

How much can I realistically earn from a side hustle here?

Depending on the hustle and time invested, you can earn anywhere from $800 to $4,000+ per month.

Are side hustles in New Orleans seasonal?

Many tourism-based hustles peak during festivals and major events, but services like freelancing and home maintenance stay steady year-round.

What’s the lowest-cost side hustle to start?

Freelancing, virtual assistance, and rideshare driving typically require minimal upfront investment.

Is Airbnb co-hosting profitable without owning property?

Yes, you can earn a percentage of booking revenue by managing listings and guest communication for property owners.

What skills are most valuable for side hustles in New Orleans?

Hospitality, cooking, storytelling, photography, and social media marketing are highly valuable in this market.