Louisiana to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 1,166 mile interstate move from Louisiana to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs lower humidity), food & health (like Gumbo vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (antebellum, creole vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 20% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in Michigan is 10.22% more expensive than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Louisiana to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Louisiana to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to Michigan
- High humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Limited winter sports
- Swampy areas
- Hot summers
- Lower humidity
- Less extreme weather
- Abundant winter activities
- Great Lakes beauty
- Cooler summers
- Less diverse dining
- Fewer large festivals
- Less renowned music scene
- Less historical culture
- Fewer wetlands
- Cajun cuisine
- Mardi Gras festivals
- Jazz music scene
- Rich history
- Bayou nature
Pros of moving from Louisiana to Michigan
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to lower humidity
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Michigan with less extreme weather
- Swap the limited winter sports of Louisiana for abundant winter activities in Michigan
- Get ready for Great Lakes beauty in Michigan
Cons of moving from Louisiana to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Cajun cuisine in Louisiana to live with less diverse dining in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of Mardi Gras festivals and have to settle for the con of fewer large festivals
- Time to bid farewell to the jazz music scene and get used to a less renowned music scene in Michigan
- Swap rich history for a less historical culture
Louisiana vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Beignets | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Tempeh Reuben |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Jambalaya and sumptuous Beignets, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs 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 Tempeh Reuben of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Willie Mae's Scotch House, and Dooky Chase's Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and Selden Standard.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and Michigan
Comparison | Louisiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Creole | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to water | Lake access, garage |
- The Antebellum and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to water, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and garages.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Louisiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- Michigan housing costs are 20% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in Michigan is 10.22% more expensive than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and Michigan
Comparison | Louisiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91/73 | 82/58 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62/43 | 31/17 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.2 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to Michigan. Michigan gets 21% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
- Michigan has similar 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 blizzards and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 9 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows are 26 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and Michigan
Comparison | Louisiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 2% to 6% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.53% | 1.71% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.52% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Agriculture, Tourism | Manufacturing, Automotive, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 21% more than those in Louisiana
- The COLI in Michigan is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 2% to 6% in LA
- The affluence in Michigan is above average compared to moderate in Louisiana
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to high in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Louisiana and low in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. Michigan
Comparison | Louisiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Swing State |
Local Politics | Strong Local Governance | Decentralized, Diverse Local Governance |
Religion | Strongly Religious, Predominantly Christian | Religiously Diverse, with a Large Christian Population |
- Louisiana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as religiously Diverse, with a large Christian Population
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as strongly Religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to Michigan
Comparison | Louisiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport) Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (Baton Rouge) | Bates Academy (Detroit) Wealthy Elementary School (East Grand Rapids) Spring Mill Elementary School (Bloomfield Hills) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Caddo Parish Middle Magnet (Shreveport) Glasgow Middle School (Baton Rouge) | East Grand Rapids Middle School (East Grand Rapids) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) Clague Middle School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 High Schools | Baton Rouge Magnet High School (Baton Rouge) Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Northville High School (Northville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Louise S. McGehee School (New Orleans) Holy Savior Menard Central High School (Alexandria) St. Martin's Episcopal School (Metairie) | Roeper School (Birmingham) The Leelanau School (Glen Arbor) Grosse Pointe Academy (Grosse Pointe Farms) |
Top 3 School Districts | Central Community School System Zachary Community School District Ascension Parish School Board | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Okemos Public Schools |
How Much Do Louisiana to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 1,166 miles from Louisiana to Michigan 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,864 | 300 ft3 | $6.21 |
1 Bedroom | $2,773 | 450 ft3 | $6.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,584 | 750 ft3 | $6.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,668 | 1100 ft3 | $6.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,619 | 1600 ft3 | $6.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,731 | 1800 ft3 | $5.96 |
Top Louisiana to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.