Kentucky to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 825 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winter weather vs moderate winter climate), food & health (like Kentucky Fried Chicken vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs french colonial, shotgun), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Louisiana is 0.52% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Louisiana movers is Henry Hauling LLC
Kentucky to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Louisiana
- Harsh winter weather
- Limited Cajun food
- Fewer festivals
- Less coastal access
- Smaller music scene
- Moderate winter climate
- Authentic Cajun cuisine
- Vibrant festival culture
- Proximity to Gulf Coast
- Lively music atmosphere
- Fewer equestrian spots
- Higher humidity levels
- Flood-prone areas
- Frequent hurricanes
- Limited bourbon options
- Scenic horse farms
- Milder summer temps
- Family-friendly suburbs
- Lower hurricane risks
- Rich bourbon history
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to harsh winter weather and hello to a moderate winter climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited Cajun food and moving to Louisiana with authentic Cajun cuisine
- Swap the fewer festivals of Kentucky for a vibrant festival culture in Louisiana
- Get ready for proximity to the Gulf Coast in Louisiana
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic horse farms in Kentucky to live with fewer equestrian spots in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of milder summer temps and have to settle with the con of higher humidity levels
- Time to bid farewell to family-friendly suburbs and get used to flood-prone areas in Louisiana
- Swap lower hurricane risks for frequent hurricanes
Kentucky vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Kentucky Fried Chicken | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Po' boy Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Kentucky Vegan Chili | Cajun Vegan Gumbo |
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 Kentucky to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Kentucky Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po' Boy Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Vegan Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Cajun Vegan Gumbo of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Dudley's on Short, Ramsey's Diner, and The Local Taco. 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 Willard's Hot Chicken.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Louisiana
Comparison | Kentucky | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | French Colonial, Shotgun |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, Proximity to parks | Historic homes, Vibrant neighborhoods |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the French Colonial and Shotgun architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to parks, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Louisiana housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Louisiana is 0.52% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Louisiana
Comparison | Kentucky | 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) | 87/66 | 91/73 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/26 | 62/42 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11 | 0.2 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 10% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, 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 4 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Louisiana
Comparison | Kentucky | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 2-6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9.52% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Healthcare | Petrochemical, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 7% less than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Louisiana will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in LA is 2-6% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to high in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and moderate in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Louisiana
Comparison | Kentucky | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely conservative, but with a significant Democratic presence in urban areas | Conservative in rural areas, with Democratic dominance in urban centers like New Orleans |
Local Politics | Divided government with fluctuating partisan control | Strong party loyalty, with historical shifts in majority control |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a significant Baptist presence | Highly Christian, notable for its Catholic majority |
- Kentucky tends to lean largely conservative but has a significant Democratic presence in urban areas in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative in rural areas and has Democratic dominance in urban centers like New Orleans
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as highly Christian, notable for its Catholic majority
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with a significant Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Louisiana
Comparison | Kentucky | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary (Pikeville) Mannsdale Upper Elementary (Madison County) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport) Early College Academy (Lafayette) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Meyzeek Middle School (Louisville) Jessie Clark Middle School (Lexington) | Paton St. George Episcopal School (New Orleans) Caddo Parish Middle Magnet (Shreveport) Youngsville Middle School (Youngsville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Dupont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Bowling Green High School (Bowling Green) | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High (Lexington) Trinity High School (Louisville) | Jesuit High School (New Orleans) St. Thomas More Catholic High School (Lafayette) The Dunham School (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Public Schools Boone County Schools Pikeville Independent Schools | Orleans Parish School Board Jefferson Parish Public Schools East Baton Rouge Parish School System |
How Much Do Kentucky to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 825 miles from Kentucky 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.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,670 | 300 ft3 | $5.57 |
1 Bedroom | $2,483 | 450 ft3 | $5.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,100 | 750 ft3 | $5.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,959 | 1100 ft3 | $5.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,588 | 1600 ft3 | $5.37 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,571 | 1800 ft3 | $5.32 |
Top Kentucky to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Henry Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Louisiana