Illinois to Louisiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Louisiana

ConsIllinois

• Harsh winters
• Higher taxes
• Busy urban life
• Congested traffic
• Expensive cost of living

ProsLouisiana

• Milder winters
• Lower taxes
• Relaxed lifestyle
• Less traffic
• Affordable living

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Louisiana

• Limited job opportunities
• Fewer cultural events
• Lacking public transit
• Fewer educational institutions
• Quieter urban areas

Illinois

• Thriving job market
• Diverse cultural scene
• Advanced public transit
• Renowned universities
• Vibrant city life

Pros of moving from Illinois to Louisiana

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Louisiana with lower taxes
• Swap the busy urban life of Illinois for a relaxed lifestyle in Louisiana
• Get ready for less traffic in Louisiana

Cons of moving from Illinois to Louisiana

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a thriving job market in Illinois to live with limited job opportunities in Louisiana
• You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse cultural scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
• Time to bid farewell to advanced public transit and get used to lacking public transit in Louisiana
• Swap renowned universities for fewer educational institutions

Illinois vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Louisiana residents know they have tasty jambalaya and po' boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the seitan dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the okra gumbo (vegan version) of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. 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, Willie Mae's Scotch House, and Cafe du Monde.

When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Louisiana

• The Prairie and Chicago School architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Creole and Colonial architecture typical of Louisiana.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and proximity to public transportation, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like yard size and proximity to water.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Louisiana is less walkable than Illinois.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Louisiana is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Louisiana has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Louisiana housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Louisiana is 24.83% more affordable than in Illinois.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Illinois and Louisiana

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 13% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, 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 Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 22 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 21 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Louisiana

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 28% less than those in Illinois
• The COLI in Louisiana will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in LA is 2% to 6% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Louisiana is lower compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is higher in Louisiana compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Illinois and a concern in Louisiana

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Louisiana

• Illinois tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
• Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of Democratic and Republican with a strong Republican presence in rural areas
• Louisiana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, particularly Catholic in the southern part of the state
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as relatively diverse with a strong presence of Christianity and other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Louisiana

How Much Do Illinois to Louisiana Movers Cost?

Moving 835 miles from Illinois to Louisiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.