Louisiana to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,163 mile interstate move from Louisiana to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Gumbo vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (french colonial, creole vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings
- DC housing costs are 211% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in DC is 82.33% more expensive than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Louisiana to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Louisiana to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to DC
- Hot, humid summers
- Sparse public transport
- Limited job opportunities
- Higher hurricane risk
- Less cultural variety
- Cooler climate
- Extensive metro system
- Diverse job market
- Less extreme weather
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher rent prices
- Fast-paced environment
- More transient population
- Less Creole/Cajun food
- Urban landscape
- Lower living costs
- Slower pace of life
- Known community bonds
- Unique local cuisine
- Expansive wetlands
Pros of moving from Louisiana to DC
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from sparse public transport and moving to DC with an extensive metro system
- Swap the limited job opportunities of Louisiana for a diverse job market in DC
- Get ready for less extreme weather in DC
Cons of moving from Louisiana to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower living costs in Louisiana to live with higher rent prices in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a slower pace of life and have to settle with the con of a fast-paced environment
- Time to bid farewell to known community bonds and get used to a more transient population in DC
- Swap unique local cuisine for less Creole and Cajun food
Louisiana vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings |
Most popular street food item | Po'boy | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Korean Tofu Bowls |
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 Louisiana to DC, you will be trading the iconic gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful jambalaya and sumptuous po'boy, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce chicken wings and food truck tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the okra gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Korean tofu bowls of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Cafe Du Monde, and Willie Mae's Scotch House. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and DC
Comparison | Louisiana | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial, Creole | Victorian, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to water | Accessibility to public transport, rooftop decks |
- The French Colonial and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to water, DC real estate listings often highlight features like accessibility to public transport and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Louisiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- DC housing costs are 211% more expensive than they are in Louisiana with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in DC is 82.33% more expensive than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and DC
Comparison | Louisiana | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91/73 | 87/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62/42 | 47/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.2 | 15.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to DC. DC gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
- DC has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Louisiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in DC.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 4 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows in DC are 14 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and DC
Comparison | Louisiana | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 6% | 4% - 10% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.53% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.45% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Government, Education, Professional Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 82% more than in Louisiana
- The COLI in DC is 46% higher than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in DC is 4% to 10% compared to 2% to 6% in LA
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Louisiana
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to high in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Louisiana and high in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. DC
Comparison | Louisiana | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally conservative, with a tendency towards Republican in federal elections | Strongly liberal, predominantly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixture of conservative and liberal leadership depending on the area | Mostly Democratic leadership and progressive policies |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population due to historical French and Spanish influence | Diverse, with a higher percentage of non-religious residents alongside active Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith communities |
- Louisiana tends to lean traditionally conservative with a tendency towards Republican in federal elections in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal and predominantly Democratic
- DC's religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher percentage of non-religious residents alongside active Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith communities
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a significant Catholic population due to historical French and Spanish influence
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to DC
Comparison | Louisiana | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | South Highlands Elementary Magnet Shreveport; Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet Baton Rouge; Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Metairie | Janney Elementary Washington; Mann Elementary Washington; Lafayette Elementary Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Caddo Parish Middle Magnet Shreveport; Lusher Charter School New Orleans; Glasgow Middle School Baton Rouge | Deal Middle School Washington; Hardy Middle School Washington; McKinley Middle School Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | Benjamin Franklin High School New Orleans; Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Metairie; Baton Rouge Magnet High School Baton Rouge | School Without Walls High School Washington; Banneker High School Washington; Ellington School of the Arts Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Isidore Newman School New Orleans; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge; Metairie Park Country Day School Metairie | Sidwell Friends School Washington; St. Albans School Washington; Georgetown Preparatory School North Bethesda |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Dunham School Baton Rouge; Episcopal School of Acadiana Cade; Metairie Park Country Day School Metairie | Sidwell Friends School Washington; Georgetown Day School Washington; Maret School Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Zachary Community School District Zachary; Central Community School District Baton Rouge; Community School for Apprenticeship Learning Baton Rouge | District of Columbia Public Schools Washington; KIPP DC Washington; Friendship Public Charter School Washington |
How Much Do Louisiana to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 1,163 miles from Louisiana to DC will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,862 | 300 ft3 | $6.21 |
1 Bedroom | $2,770 | 450 ft3 | $6.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,580 | 750 ft3 | $6.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,662 | 1100 ft3 | $6.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,610 | 1600 ft3 | $6.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,721 | 1800 ft3 | $5.96 |
Top Louisiana to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.