Louisiana to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,014 mile interstate move from Louisiana to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs milder summers), food & health (like Gumbo vs Ham (Smithfield)), real estate & housing (french colonial, creole vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Ham (Smithfield) & Barbecue
- Virginia housing costs are 94% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in Virginia is 39.08% more expensive than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to Virginia will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Louisiana to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
Louisiana to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to Virginia
- High humidity
- Limited public transit
- Hurricane risk
- Milder summers
- Efficient metro systems
- Less severe weather
- High living costs
- Less diverse food options
- Fewer frequent events
- Rich culture
- Delicious Cajun cuisine
- Music festivals
Pros of moving from Louisiana to Virginia
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to milder summers
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Virginia with efficient metro systems
- Swap the hurricane risk of Louisiana for less severe weather in Virginia
- Get ready for enjoyable outdoor activities in Virginia
Cons of moving from Louisiana to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich culture in Louisiana to live with high living costs in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of delicious Cajun cuisine and have to settle with the con of less diverse food options
- Time to bid farewell to music festivals and get used to fewer frequent events in Virginia
- Swap the vibrant nightlife for quieter evenings in Virginia
Louisiana vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | Ham (Smithfield) |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Beignets | Oyster Po' Boy |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo (Vegan) | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Ham (Smithfield) of Virginia. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Jambalaya and sumptuous Beignets, Virginia residents know they have tasty Barbecue and Oyster Po' Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo (Vegan) they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Antoine's, and Cochon. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L'Auberge Chez Francois, and Mama's Fish House.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and Virginia
Comparison | Louisiana | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial, Creole | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, proximity to water | Energy efficiency, community amenities |
- The French Colonial and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to water, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and community amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Louisiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- Virginia has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- Virginia housing costs are 94% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased 42% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in Virginia is 39.08% more expensive than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and Virginia
Comparison | Louisiana | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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 | Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 73Β°F | 87Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62Β°F / 42Β°F | 48Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 inches | 42 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.2 inches | 14 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to Virginia. Virginia gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
- Virginia 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 Virginia.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 4 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and Virginia
Comparison | Louisiana | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 2 - 6% | 2 - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.52% | 0.82% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 5.3% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism | Government, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Higher | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 55% more than in Louisiana
- The COLI in Virginia will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in VA is 2 - 5.75% compared to 2 - 6% in LA
- The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate in Louisiana
- The poverty level is lower in Virginia compared to higher in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Louisiana and lower in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. Virginia
Comparison | Louisiana | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative, with recent shifts | Moderately Liberal, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on local governance | High engagement in both local and state politics |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, diverse denominations | Religious diversity, with a strong Christian base |
- Louisiana tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Liberal, especially in urban areas
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as religious diversity with a strong Christian base
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with diverse denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to Virginia
Comparison | Louisiana | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana | University of Virginia Virginia Tech William & Mary |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary School (Shreveport) | Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) Westbriar Elementary School (Vienna) Nottingham Elementary School (Arlington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Parkview Baptist School (Baton Rouge) St. George's Episcopal School (New Orleans) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Cooper Middle School (McLean) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) McLean High School (McLean) Langley High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) Jesuit High School (New Orleans) | The Potomac School (McLean) Norfolk Academy (Norfolk) St. Christopher's School (Richmond) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Trinity Episcopal School (New Orleans) University Laboratory School (Baton Rouge) | The Madeira School (McLean) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) The Collegiate School (Richmond) |
Top 3 School Districts | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Ascension Parish School Board | Falls Church City Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Fairfax County Public Schools |
How Much Do Louisiana to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 1,014 miles from Louisiana to Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,777 | 300 ft3 | $5.92 |
1 Bedroom | $2,644 | 450 ft3 | $5.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,368 | 750 ft3 | $5.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,352 | 1100 ft3 | $5.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,159 | 1600 ft3 | $5.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,214 | 1800 ft3 | $5.67 |
Top Louisiana to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.