Movers

Louisiana to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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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

ConsLouisiana iconLouisiana
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Sparse public transport
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Higher hurricane risk
  • Less cultural variety
ProsDC iconDC
  • Cooler climate
  • Extensive metro system
  • Diverse job market
  • Less extreme weather
  • Rich cultural scene

DC iconDC
  • Higher rent prices
  • Fast-paced environment
  • More transient population
  • Less Creole/Cajun food
  • Urban landscape
Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • 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

ComparisonLouisianaDC
Most iconic local food itemGumboHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishJambalayaMumbo Sauce Chicken Wings
Most popular street food itemPo'boyFood Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodOkra GumboKorean Tofu Bowls
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Commander's Palace
  • Cafe Du Monde
  • Willie Mae's Scotch House
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonLouisianaDC
Typical Architecture StyleFrench Colonial, CreoleVictorian, Federal
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, proximity to waterAccessibility 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 Louisiana’s $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

ComparisonLouisianaDC
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, floodsSnowstorms, hurricanes
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91/7387/71
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)62/4247/28
Annual Rainfall (Inches)6040
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0.215.4
  • 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

ComparisonLouisianaDC
Avg. Household Income$55,416$101,027
Cost of Living Index96140.1
State Income Tax2% - 6%4% - 10%
Avg. Property Tax0.53%0.56%
Avg. Sales Tax9.45%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, ManufacturingGovernment, Education, Professional Services
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • 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

ComparisonLouisianaDC
Political Make-upTraditionally conservative, with a tendency towards Republican in federal electionsStrongly liberal, predominantly Democratic
Local PoliticsMixture of conservative and liberal leadership depending on the areaMostly Democratic leadership and progressive policies
ReligionPrimarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population due to historical French and Spanish influenceDiverse, 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

ComparisonLouisianaDC
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 SchoolsSouth 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 SchoolsCaddo 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 SchoolsBenjamin 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 schoolsIsidore 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 schoolsDunham 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 DistrictsZachary 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,862300 ft3$6.21
1 Bedroom$2,770450 ft3$6.16
2 Bedrooms$4,580750 ft3$6.11
3 Bedrooms$6,6621100 ft3$6.06
4 Bedrooms$9,6101600 ft3$6.01
5+ Bedrooms$10,7211800 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.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Louisiana to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Henry Hauling LLC featured image

Henry Hauling LLC

9.22/10
ExceptionalView details