Louisiana to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 946 mile interstate move from Louisiana to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs moderate climate), food & health (like Gumbo vs Pulled pork BBQ), real estate & housing (french colonial, creole vs colonial revival, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled pork BBQ & Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue
- North Carolina housing costs are 65% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in North Carolina is 31.62% more expensive than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Louisiana to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
Louisiana to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to North Carolina
- High humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Flat landscape
- Fewer tech jobs
- Limited public transport
- Moderate climate
- Less severe weather
- Scenic mountains
- Growing tech industry
- Better transportation options
- Less cultural diversity
- Different food scene
- Less laid-back atmosphere
- Fewer cultural events
- Higher living expenses
- Rich Cajun culture
- Unique cuisine
- Southern hospitality
- Festivals year-round
- Low cost of living
Pros of moving from Louisiana to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a moderate climate
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to North Carolina with less severe weather
- Swap the flat landscape of Louisiana for scenic mountains in North Carolina
- Get ready for a growing tech industry in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Louisiana to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich Cajun culture in Louisiana to live with less cultural diversity in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique cuisine and have to settle with the con of a different food scene
- Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to a less laid-back atmosphere in North Carolina
- Swap festivals year-round for fewer cultural events
Louisiana vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | Pulled pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Po'boys | Barbecue sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Okra gumbo | Smoked vegetable plate |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious pulled pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful jambalaya and sumptuous po'boys, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue and barbecue sandwiches 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 smoked vegetable plate of North Carolina. 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 Galatoire's. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Allen & Son Bar-B-Que, and The Pit.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and North Carolina
Comparison | Louisiana | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial, Creole | Colonial Revival, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, waterfront access | Energy efficiency, community amenities |
- The French Colonial and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and waterfront access, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and community amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Louisiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- North Carolina housing costs are 65% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in North Carolina is 31.62% more expensive than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and North Carolina
Comparison | Louisiana | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91/73 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62/42 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | <1 | 5-10 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 0% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and winter storms in North Carolina.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 4 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and North Carolina
Comparison | Louisiana | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 1.85% - 4.25% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism | Technology, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 22% more than those in Louisiana
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 1.85% - 4.25% in LA
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Louisiana
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to high in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Louisiana and low in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Louisiana | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a tendency towards conservative | Swing state, with varying political landscapes |
Local Politics | Diverse, with significant local autonomy | Varies greatly between urban and rural areas |
Religion | Largely Christian, with a Catholic majority in many areas | Primarily Protestant, with significant Baptist and Methodist populations |
- Louisiana tends to lean mixed, with a tendency towards conservative in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with varying political landscapes
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with significant Baptist and Methodist populations
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a Catholic majority in many areas
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to North Carolina
Comparison | Louisiana | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Milton Elementary School (Milton) South Highlands Elementary Magnet School (Shreveport) Fairfield Magnet School (Shreveport) | Endhaven Elementary School (Charlotte) Sterling Montessori Academy (Morrisville) Morrisville Elementary School (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School (Shreveport) Glasgow Middle School (Baton Rouge) Youngsville Middle School (Youngsville) | Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill) Ligon Middle School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 High Schools | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Haynes Academy (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Ardrey Kell High School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 private high schools | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge) | Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Cary Academy (Cary) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Dunham School (Baton Rouge) Catholic High School (Baton Rouge) Louise S. McGehee School (New Orleans) | Durham Academy (Durham) Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 School Districts | Zachary Community School District (Zachary) Central Community School System (Central) West Feliciana Parish (St. Francisville) | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (Chapel Hill) Union County Public Schools (Monroe) Wake County Public School System (Cary) |
How Much Do Louisiana to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 946 miles from Louisiana to North Carolina 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,739 | 300 ft3 | $5.80 |
1 Bedroom | $2,586 | 450 ft3 | $5.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,272 | 750 ft3 | $5.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,211 | 1100 ft3 | $5.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,954 | 1600 ft3 | $5.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,983 | 1800 ft3 | $5.55 |
Top Louisiana to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Louisiana to North Carolina