Arkansas to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 326 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited coastline vs access to gulf), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs french creole & colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in Louisiana is 0.00% more expensive than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Arkansas to Louisiana movers is B2 Moving
Arkansas to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Louisiana
- Limited coastline
- Fewer cultural events
- Less diverse food scene
- Harsh winters
- Fewer big cities
- Access to Gulf
- Vibrant festivals
- Cajun cuisine
- Milder winters
- New Orleans attractions
- Higher living expenses
- Busy urban traffic
- Higher alcohol taxes
- Hurricane risk areas
- Loud cities
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic congestion
- Lower liquor taxes
- Natural hot springs
- Quieter lifestyle
Pros of moving from Arkansas to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to limited coastline and hello to access to Gulf
- Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural events and moving to Louisiana with vibrant festivals
- Swap the less diverse food scene of Arkansas for Cajun cuisine in Louisiana
- Get ready for milder winters in Louisiana
Cons of moving from Arkansas to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with higher living expenses in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of busy urban traffic
- Time to bid farewell to lower liquor taxes and get used to higher alcohol taxes in Louisiana
- Swap natural hot springs for hurricane risk areas
Arkansas vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Barbecue Nachos | Po'boy |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Red Beans and Rice |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Arkansas to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Barbecue Nachos, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Whole Hog Cafe, and Sim's Barbecue. 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, CafΓ© du Monde, and Emeril's New Orleans.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Louisiana
Comparison | Arkansas | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival | French Creole & Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Natural Scenery | Historic Neighborhoods, Access to Waterways |
- The Colonial Revival architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the French Creole and Colonial architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and natural scenery, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic neighborhoods and access to waterways.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- Louisiana housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in Louisiana is 0.00% more expensive than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Louisiana
Comparison | Arkansas | 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, floods | Hurricanes, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 73Β°F | 91Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 32Β°F | 62Β°F / 43Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 60" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | <1" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 1 degree colder than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana as it receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Louisiana
Comparison | Arkansas | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 6.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.61% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 9.52% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail | Oil, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Noticeable | Significant |
Homelessness | Low | Increasing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 0% less than in Arkansas
- The COLI in Louisiana will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in LA is 6.0% compared to 5.9% in AR
- The affluence in Louisiana is varied compared to moderate affluence in Arkansas
- The poverty level is significant in Louisiana compared to noticeable poverty in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and increasing in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Louisiana
Comparison | Arkansas | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Mix of Conservative and Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in Recent Years | Democratic Strongholds in Urban Areas |
Religion | Primarily Evangelical Christian | Catholic Majority with Evangelical Presence |
- Arkansas tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of Conservative and Liberal
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as a Catholic majority with an Evangelical presence
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Evangelical Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Louisiana
Comparison | Arkansas | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Elementary - Little Rock Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville | Lusher Charter - New Orleans Lake Forest Elementary Charter - New Orleans Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academy - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville Fulbright Junior High - Bentonville Woodland Junior High - Fayetteville | Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy - Jefferson Glasgow Middle School - Baton Rouge Lusher Charter - New Orleans |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy - Bentonville Central High School - Little Rock Bentonville High School - Bentonville | Benjamin Franklin High School - New Orleans Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy - Jefferson Baton Rouge Magnet High School - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Mount St. Mary Academy - Little Rock Episcopal Collegiate School - Little Rock | Isidore Newman School - New Orleans Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lisa Academy - Little Rock Arkansas Baptist School System - Little Rock The New School - Fayetteville | Lusher Charter - New Orleans Dunham School - Baton Rouge Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville School District Fayetteville School District Rogers School District | Orleans Parish School Board Jefferson Parish Public System Baton Rouge Public Schools |
How Much Do Arkansas to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 326 miles from Arkansas 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,387 | 300 ft3 | $4.62 |
1 Bedroom | $2,058 | 450 ft3 | $4.57 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,393 | 750 ft3 | $4.52 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,922 | 1100 ft3 | $4.47 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,079 | 1600 ft3 | $4.42 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,874 | 1800 ft3 | $4.37 |
Top Arkansas to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.