Louisiana to California Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 1,888 mile interstate move from Louisiana to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs mild coastal climate), food & health (like Gumbo vs California Roll), real estate & housing (french colonial, creole vs spanish revival, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for California Roll & Tri-tip steak
- California housing costs are 294% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in California is 107.16% more expensive than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to California will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Louisiana to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
Louisiana to California Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to California
- High humidity
- Fewer tech jobs
- Limited outdoor activities
- Mild coastal climate
- Technology hub
- Vast outdoor adventures
- Higher cost of living
- Expensive dining
- Urban sprawl
- Strong cultural heritage
- Cajun cuisine
- Warm communities
Pros of moving from Louisiana to California
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a mild coastal climate
- Look forward to moving away from fewer tech jobs and moving to California with its technology hub
- Swap the limited outdoor activities of Louisiana for vast outdoor adventures in California
Cons of moving from Louisiana to California
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a strong cultural heritage in Louisiana to live with a higher cost of living in California
- You'll lose out on the pro of Cajun cuisine and have to settle for the con of expensive dining
- Time to bid farewell to warm communities and get used to urban sprawl in California
Louisiana vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | California |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | California Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Tri-tip steak |
Most popular street food item | Po'boy | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Stew | Avocado Toast |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Louisiana to California, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious California Roll of California. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Jambalaya and sumptuous Po'boy, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip steak and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of California. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Antoine's, and Galatoire's. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like Chez Panisse, The French Laundry, and Nopa.
When comparing lifestyles, California shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in California, compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in California.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and California
Comparison | Louisiana | California |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial, Creole | Spanish Revival, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, waterfront | Solar panels, eco-friendly features |
- The French Colonial and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and Modern architecture typical of California.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and waterfront, California real estate listings often highlight features like solar panels and eco-friendly attributes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; California is more walkable than Louisiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; California is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- California has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- California housing costs are 294% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased by 42% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in California is 107.16% more expensive than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and California
Comparison | Louisiana | California |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Varies significantly |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91/73 | 85/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62/43 | 68/48 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | < 1 | Varies by region |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Louisiana to California. California gets 31% more sunshine days than Louisiana.
- California has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Louisiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in California is 6 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in California. California receives 38 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and California
Comparison | Louisiana | California |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $91,551 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 136.4 |
State Income Tax | Up to 6% | Up to 13.3% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.53% | 0.73% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 7.25% - 10.75% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 65% more than in Louisiana
- The COLI in California will be 42% higher than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in CA is up to 13.3% compared to up to 6% in LA
- The affluence in California is high compared to moderate affluence in Louisiana
- The poverty level is moderate in California compared to high poverty in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Louisiana and high in California
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. California
Comparison | Louisiana | California |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican stronghold in rural areas | Democratic dominance in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominates, Catholicism significant | Diverse, less religiously affiliated overall |
- Louisiana tends to lean moderately conservative in its political climate
- California, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- California's religious environment can be described as diverse and less religiously affiliated overall
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with significant Catholicism
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to California
Comparison | Louisiana | California |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana | University of California Stanford University California State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Milton Elementary School (Lafayette) | El Carmelo Elementary (Palo Alto) Old Orchard School (Campbell) Ocean Air School (San Diego) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Paul Breaux Middle School (Lafayette) Glasgow Middle School (Baton Rouge) Young Audiences Charter School (Gretna) | Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto) Joaquin Miller Middle (San Jose) Preuss School UCSD (La Jolla) |
Top 3 High Schools | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) | California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Oxford Academy (Cypress) Whitney High School (Cerritos) |
Top 3 private high schools | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) | Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City) The Harker School (San Jose) Phillips Academy (Andover) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Louise S. McGehee School (New Orleans) St. Martinβs Episcopal School (Metairie) Country Day School (Metairie) | The Nueva School (Hillsborough) Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (Santa Monica) The Buckley School (Sherman Oaks) |
Top 3 School Districts | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Ascension Parish Public Schools | Palo Alto Unified School District San Ramon Valley Unified School District Los Altos School District |
How Much Do Louisiana to California Movers Cost?
Moving 1,888 miles from Louisiana to California 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 Louisiana to California Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to California movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for Louisiana to California
New Orleans to California
- New Orleans to Anaheim
- New Orleans to Bakersfield
- New Orleans to Chula Vista
- New Orleans to Corona
- New Orleans to Elk Grove
- New Orleans to Escondido
- New Orleans to Fontana
- New Orleans to Fremont
- New Orleans to Fresno
- New Orleans to Garden Grove
- New Orleans to Glendale
- New Orleans to Hayward
- New Orleans to Huntington Beach
- New Orleans to Irvine
- New Orleans to Lancaster
- New Orleans to Long Beach
- New Orleans to Los Angeles
- New Orleans to Modesto
- New Orleans to Moreno Valley
- New Orleans to Oakland
- New Orleans to Oceanside
- New Orleans to Ontario
- New Orleans to Oxnard
- New Orleans to Palmdale
- New Orleans to Pomona
- New Orleans to Rancho Cucamonga
- New Orleans to Riverside
- New Orleans to Sacramento
- New Orleans to Salinas
- New Orleans to San Bernardino
- New Orleans to San Diego
- New Orleans to San Francisco
- New Orleans to San Jose
- New Orleans to Santa Ana
- New Orleans to Santa Clarita
- New Orleans to Santa Rosa
- New Orleans to Stockton
- New Orleans to Sunnyvale
Baton Rouge to California
- Baton Rouge to Anaheim
- Baton Rouge to Bakersfield
- Baton Rouge to Chula Vista
- Baton Rouge to Fremont
- Baton Rouge to Fresno
- Baton Rouge to Irvine
- Baton Rouge to Long Beach
- Baton Rouge to Los Angeles
- Baton Rouge to Oakland
- Baton Rouge to Riverside
- Baton Rouge to Sacramento
- Baton Rouge to San Diego
- Baton Rouge to San Francisco
- Baton Rouge to San Jose
- Baton Rouge to Santa Ana
- Baton Rouge to Stockton
Shreveport to California
- Shreveport to Anaheim
- Shreveport to Bakersfield
- Shreveport to Chula Vista
- Shreveport to Fresno
- Shreveport to Irvine
- Shreveport to Long Beach
- Shreveport to Los Angeles
- Shreveport to Oakland
- Shreveport to Riverside
- Shreveport to Sacramento
- Shreveport to San Diego
- Shreveport to San Francisco
- Shreveport to San Jose
- Shreveport to Santa Ana
- Shreveport to Stockton