Idaho to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 2,029 mile interstate move from Idaho to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs french colonial and creole), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Crawfish ΓtouffΓ©e
- Louisiana housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Louisiana is 18.53% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Louisiana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Louisiana movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Louisiana
- Long, harsh winters
- Limited cultural diversity
- Fewer recreational options
- Higher elevation
- Remote rural areas
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural heritage
- Vibrant music scene
- Sea-level communities
- Urban lifestyle
- Higher living cost
- High humidity
- Higher crime rate
- Distance from mountains
- Frequent hurricanes
- Low living cost
- Less humidity
- Low crime rate
- Proximity to nature
- Lesser natural disasters
Pros of moving from Idaho to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to Louisiana with rich cultural heritage
- Swap the fewer recreational options of Idaho for the vibrant music scene in Louisiana
- Get ready for sea-level communities in Louisiana
Cons of moving from Idaho to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low living cost in Idaho to live with the higher living cost in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of less humidity and have to settle for the con of high humidity
- Time to bid farewell to the low crime rate and get used to the higher crime rate in Louisiana
- Swap proximity to nature for distance from the mountains
Idaho vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Beef | Crawfish ΓtouffΓ©e |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread | Po'boy |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | 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 Idaho to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Beef and sumptuous Fry Bread, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Crawfish ΓtouffΓ©e and Po'boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Idaho eateries like The Statehouse, Boise River Cafe, and Idaho Fry Company. 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, Acme Oyster House, and Willie's Seafood.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Louisiana
Comparison | Idaho | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Ranch | French Colonial and Creole |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lots, mountain views | Historic properties, vibrant neighborhoods |
- The Modern and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the French Colonial and Creole architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious lots and mountain views, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Louisiana is more walkable than Idaho.
- Louisiana is similarly bike-friendly to Idaho.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Louisiana housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased 13% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Louisiana is 18.53% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Louisiana
Comparison | Idaho | 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 | Wildfires, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85-40Β°F | 91-73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34-14Β°F | 62-42Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18-40" | 60" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19.2" | 0.2" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 4% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, 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 in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are NaN degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 42 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Louisiana
Comparison | Idaho | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 3% to 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.63% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9.45% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Education | Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 24% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Louisiana will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in LA is 3% to 6% compared to 6.5% in ID
- The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Louisiana
Comparison | Idaho | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Conservative, but with notable Democratic strength in urban areas |
Local Politics | Republican stronghold, particularly in rural areas | More politically diverse, Democratic influence in cities like New Orleans |
Religion | Majority Christian, significant LDS presence | Majority Christian, notably Catholic in the southern part |
- Idaho tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Conservative but with notable Democratic strength in urban areas
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as majority Christian, notably Catholic in the southern part
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Christian with a significant LDS presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Louisiana
Comparison | Idaho | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Washington Elementary School (Boise) Highlands Elementary School (Boise) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport) Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) | Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies (Gretna) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Borah High School (Boise) | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Caddo Parish Magnet High School (Shreveport) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Jesuit High School (New Orleans) Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rolling Hills Public Charter School (Boise) The Sage International School (Boise) North Star Charter School (Eagle) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) University Laboratory School (Baton Rouge) Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies (Gretna) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Moscow School District | Orleans Parish School Board Jefferson Parish Public School System East Baton Rouge Parish School System |
How Much Do Idaho to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 2,029 miles from Idaho to Louisiana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,353 | 300 ft3 | $7.84 |
1 Bedroom | $3,507 | 450 ft3 | $7.79 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,807 | 750 ft3 | $7.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,462 | 1100 ft3 | $7.69 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,228 | 1600 ft3 | $7.64 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,667 | 1800 ft3 | $7.59 |
Top Idaho to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.