California to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,888 mile interstate move from California to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Sushi vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs french colonial, shotgun), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Sushi and Tri-tip BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 75% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Louisiana is 51.73% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Louisiana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
- Our top recommended California to Louisiana movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
California to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Louisiana
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Drought conditions
- High taxes
- Frequent wildfires
- Affordable housing
- Less crowded roads
- Rich water resources
- Lower taxes
- Minimal wildfire risk
- Fewer tech opportunities
- Limited cultural events
- High humidity
- Fewer outdoor activities
- Fewer dining options
- Thriving tech industry
- Diverse cultural scene
- Favorable climate
- Scenic landscapes
- World-class dining
Pros of moving from California to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Louisiana with less crowded roads
- Swap the drought conditions of California for rich water resources in Louisiana
- Get ready for lower taxes in Louisiana
Cons of moving from California to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the thriving tech industry in California to live with fewer tech opportunities in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse cultural scene and have to settle with the con of limited cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to the favorable climate and get used to high humidity in Louisiana
- Swap scenic landscapes for fewer outdoor activities
California vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Sushi | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip BBQ | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Po' boy sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado toast | Okra Gumbo |
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 California to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Sushi of California for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip BBQ and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po' boy sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, In-N-Out Burger, and The French Laundry. 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 Acme Oyster House.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Louisiana
Comparison | California | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | French Colonial, Shotgun |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Eco-friendly, solar panels | Historic details, large porches |
- The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the French Colonial and Shotgun architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and solar panels, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and large porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Louisiana is less walkable than California.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Louisiana is less bike-friendly than California.
- Louisiana has less of an urban feel than California.
- Louisiana housing costs are 75% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Louisiana is 51.73% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Louisiana
Comparison | California | 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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Varies by region; generally moderate | Mostly good; urban areas can experience poorer quality |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 91Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 45Β°F | 62Β°F / 43Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 60" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | Varies widely by region | <1" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 25% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 6 degrees warmer than California.
- The average winter lows in Louisiana are 2 degrees colder than they are in California.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 38 more inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Louisiana
Comparison | California | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 13.3% | 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 0.18% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.25% | 8.45% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture | Energy, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 39% less than in California
- The COLI in Louisiana will be 30% lower than what you are used to living in California
- The state income tax in LA is 6% compared to 13.3% in CA
- The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to moderate in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in California and moderate in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Louisiana
Comparison | California | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies in urban areas | Conservative policies statewide |
Religion | More diverse, less religious overall | Higher prominence of Christianity |
- California tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as having a higher prominence of Christianity
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as more diverse and less religious overall
Education Guide When Moving from California to Louisiana
Comparison | California | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of California Stanford University California State University | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Orion Alternative (Redwood City) Mill Valley School (Mill Valley) Pacific Elementary (Manhattan Beach) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport) Baton Rouge FLAIM (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Preuss School UCSD (La Jolla) California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) The Nueva School (Hillsborough) | Caddo Parish Middle Magnet (Shreveport) Thomas Jefferson High (Gretna) Lusher Charter (New Orleans) |
Top 3 High Schools | California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Preuss School UCSD (La Jolla) The Nueva School (Hillsborough) | Benjamin Franklin High (New Orleans) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) |
Top 3 private high schools | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The College Preparatory School (Oakland) Polytechnic School (Pasadena) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Nueva School (Hillsborough) Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (Santa Monica) The Webb Schools (Claremont) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) |
Top 3 School Districts | San Francisco Unified Palo Alto Unified Santa Clara County Office of Education | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Orleans Parish School Board |
How Much Do California to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,888 miles from California to Louisiana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,273 | 300 ft3 | $7.58 |
1 Bedroom | $3,387 | 450 ft3 | $7.53 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,607 | 750 ft3 | $7.48 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,169 | 1100 ft3 | $7.43 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,802 | 1600 ft3 | $7.38 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,187 | 1800 ft3 | $7.33 |
Top California to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for California to Louisiana