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Louisiana to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 2,491 mile interstate move from Louisiana to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like Gumbo vs Salmon), real estate & housing (french colonial, creole vs modern, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Teriyaki
  • Washington housing costs are 197% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
  • Rent in Washington is 49.81% more expensive than in Louisiana
  • Moving from Louisiana to Washington will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended Louisiana to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More

Louisiana to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to Washington

ConsLouisiana iconLouisiana
  • High humidity
  • Hurricane risk
  • Limited public transit
  • Hot summers
  • Higher crime rates
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Cooler summers
  • Minimal natural disasters
  • Extensive transit options
  • Mild weather
  • Safer neighborhoods

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher cost of living
  • Less culinary diversity
  • Colder winters
  • Less vibrant music scene
  • More reserved residents
Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • Rich culture
  • Delicious cuisine
  • Warm winters
  • Jazz music
  • Friendly locals

Pros of moving from Louisiana to Washington

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Washington with minimal natural disasters
  • Swap the limited public transit of Louisiana for extensive transit options in Washington
  • Get ready for mild weather in Washington

Cons of moving from Louisiana to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich culture in Louisiana to live with a higher cost of living in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of delicious cuisine and have to settle for the con of less culinary diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to warm winters and get used to colder winters in Washington
  • Swap jazz music for a less vibrant music scene

Louisiana vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonLouisianaWashington
Most iconic local food itemGumboSalmon
Most popular meat dishJambalayaTeriyaki
Most popular street food itemPo'boyFood truck tacos
Most popular vegan foodOkra GumboVegan Pho
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Commander's Palace
  • Antoine's
  • Dooky Chase's Restaurant
  • Canlis
  • The Herbfarm
  • Ray's Boathouse
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Jambalaya and sumptuous Po'boy, Washington residents know they have tasty Teriyaki 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 Vegan Pho of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Antoine's, and Dooky Chase's Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, The Herbfarm, and Ray's Boathouse.

When comparing lifestyles, Washington shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Washington compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Washington.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and Washington

ComparisonLouisianaWashington
Typical Architecture StyleFrench Colonial, CreoleModern, Craftsman
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 listingLarge yards, waterfrontEco-friendly features, tech-ready
  • The French Colonial and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and waterfront, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly amenities and tech readiness.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Louisiana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
  • Washington housing costs are 197% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Louisiana’s $199,091.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
  • Rent in Washington is 49.81% more expensive than in Louisiana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and Washington

ComparisonLouisianaWashington
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, FloodsEarthquakes, Volcanoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91/7375/55
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)62/4247/36
Annual Rainfall (Inches)6038 (Western WA: 60+)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0.220
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to Washington. Washington gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
  • Washington has higher 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 earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 16 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
  • The average winter lows in Washington are 6 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and Washington

ComparisonLouisianaWashington
Avg. Household Income$55,416$91,306
Cost of Living Index96104.1
State Income Tax2% to 6%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.53%0.93%
Avg. Sales Tax9.45%9.23%
Top 3 IndustriesOil and Gas, Agriculture, TourismTechnology, Aerospace, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 65% more than those in Louisiana
  • The COLI in Washington is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Louisiana
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Louisiana
  • The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to high poverty in Louisiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Louisiana and high in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. Washington

ComparisonLouisianaWashington
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsMix of Democrats and Republicans with strong parochial influencesProgressive, with a strong emphasis on environmental and social issues
ReligionHigher proportion of Evangelical Protestants<a href="https://www.la-umc.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>, CatholicsLess religiously affiliated, higher percentage of residents with no religious ties
  • Louisiana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with a higher percentage of residents having no religious ties
  • Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a higher proportion of Evangelical Protestants and Catholics

Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to Washington

ComparisonLouisianaWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Louisiana
University of Washington
Washington State University
Seattle University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLusher Charter School (New Orleans)
Lake Forest Elementary Charter School (New Orleans)
Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (Baton Rouge)
Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Medina Elementary (Medina)
Briarwood Elementary (Sammamish)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGlasgow Middle School (Baton Rouge)
Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School (Shreveport)
Isidore Newman School (New Orleans)
International Community School (Kirkland)
Pacific Cascade Middle School (Issaquah)
Environmental & Adventure School (Kirkland)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBenjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans)
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie)
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
International School (Bellevue)
Tesla STEM High School (Redmond)
Top 3 private high schoolsIsidore Newman School (New Orleans)
Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie)
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Annie Wright Schools (Tacoma)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLouisiana School for Math
Science
and the Arts (Natchitoches)
Academy of the Sacred Heart (New Orleans)
St. Martin's Episcopal School (Metairie)
The Bush School (Seattle)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
Top 3 School DistrictsSt. Tammany Parish Public Schools
Zachary Community Schools
Central Community School System
Lake Washington School District
Mercer Island School District
Bellevue School District

How Much Do Louisiana to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 2,491 miles from Louisiana to Washington will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,615300 ft3$8.72
1 Bedroom$3,900450 ft3$8.67
2 Bedrooms$6,462750 ft3$8.62
3 Bedrooms$9,4221100 ft3$8.57
4 Bedrooms$13,6251600 ft3$8.52
5+ Bedrooms$15,2381800 ft3$8.47

Top Louisiana to Washington Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Louisiana to Washington

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Henry Hauling LLC featured image

Henry Hauling LLC

9.22/10
ExceptionalView details