Alabama to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 389 mile interstate move from Alabama to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs rich cultural festivals), food & health (like Barbecue Ribs vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (antebellum, cottage vs creole, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue Ribs and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Crawfish ΓtouffΓ©e
- Louisiana housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Louisiana is 10.72% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Louisiana movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Louisiana
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited job market
- Few public transport options
- Frequent tornadoes
- Rich cultural festivals
- Growing tech scene
- Robust transit systems
- Less severe weather
- Higher cost of living
- Busy urban life
- Densely populated areas
- Transient population
- Lower cost of living
- Southern charm
- Peaceful countryside
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Alabama to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to rich cultural festivals
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Louisiana with a growing tech scene
- Swap the few public transport options of Alabama for robust transit systems in Louisiana
- Get ready for less severe weather in Louisiana
Cons of moving from Alabama to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Alabama to live with a higher cost of living in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern charm and have to settle with the con of a busy urban life
- Time to bid farewell to the peaceful countryside and get used to densely populated areas in Louisiana
- Swap close-knit communities for a transient population
Alabama vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Ribs | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Crawfish ΓtouffΓ©e |
Most popular street food item | Grilled Corn | Po'boys |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Stew | Red Beans and Rice |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alabama to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Alabama for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Grilled Corn, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Crawfish ΓtouffΓ©e and Po'boys to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Red Beans and Rice of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, and Hot and Hot Fish Club. After the boxes are unpacked in Louisiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Louisiana's acclaimed eateries like Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, and Willie Mae's Scotch House.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Louisiana
Comparison | Alabama | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Cottage | Creole, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Porches | French doors, Patios |
- The Antebellum and Cottage architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Creole and Colonial architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and porches, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like French doors and patios.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Louisiana housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased 13% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Louisiana is 10.72% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Louisiana
Comparison | Alabama | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Hurricanes | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90/72 | 91/73 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57/36 | 62/42 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 | 60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | <1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 1% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 1 degree warmer than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Louisiana
Comparison | Alabama | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 2 - 5 | 2 - 6 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.42 | 0.53 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22 | 9.55 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Finance, Real Estate | Energy, Food Processing, Transportation |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Significant | High |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerns |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 7% less than in Alabama
- The COLI in Louisiana is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in LA is 2 - 6 compared to 2 - 5 in AL
- The affluence in Louisiana is varied compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to significant poverty in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Alabama and a concern in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Louisiana
Comparison | Alabama | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican | Mix of Conservative/Republican and Liberal/Democrat |
Local Politics | Strong local governance, with emphasis on local elections and issues | Varies by region; New Orleans known for more liberal policies, rural areas more conservative |
Religion | Protestant Christian majority | Roman Catholic majority |
- Alabama tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of Conservative/Republican and Liberal/Democrat
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as a Roman Catholic majority
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Louisiana
Comparison | Alabama | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rock Quarry Elementary - Tuscaloosa Meadow View Elementary - Alabaster Heritage Elementary - Madison | Lusher Charter School - New Orleans South Highlands Elementary Magnet - Shreveport Lake Forest Elementary Charter - New Orleans |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High - Mountain Brook Liberty Park Middle - Vestavia Hills Simmons Middle - Hoover | Lusher Charter School - New Orleans Caddo Parish Middle Magnet - Shreveport Youngsville Middle - Youngsville |
Top 3 High School Schools | Mountain Brook High - Mountain Brook Loveless Academic Magnet Program High - Montgomery Vestavia Hills High - Vestavia Hills | Benjamin Franklin High - New Orleans Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies - Metairie Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy - Jefferson |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School - Birmingham Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Randolph School - Huntsville | Isidore Newman School - New Orleans Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie Episcopal High School - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Altamont School - Birmingham Indian Springs School - Indian Springs Randolph School - Huntsville | Isidore Newman School - New Orleans Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Ascension Parish Schools |
How Much Do Alabama to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 389 miles from Alabama to Louisiana will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,423 | 300 ft3 | $4.74 |
1 Bedroom | $2,112 | 450 ft3 | $4.69 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,483 | 750 ft3 | $4.64 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,053 | 1100 ft3 | $4.59 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,269 | 1600 ft3 | $4.54 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,088 | 1800 ft3 | $4.49 |
Top Alabama to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.