MI to LA Moving Specialists

Michigan to Louisiana Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 1,166 mile interstate move from Michigan to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Michigan Pasties vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs french colonial, creole), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Michigan Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
  • Louisiana housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Michigan
  • Rent in Louisiana is 9.27% more affordable than in Michigan
  • Moving from Michigan to Louisiana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Michigan to Louisiana movers is Pro-Low Moving

Top Michigan to Louisiana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Michigan to Louisiana

9.69/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Henry Hauling LLC featured image

Henry Hauling LLC

9.22/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.08/10
Exceptional

Michigan to Louisiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Louisiana

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh winters
  • Higher taxes
  • Industrial landscapes
  • Limited spices
  • Long commutes
ProsLouisiana iconLouisiana
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Rich culture
  • Flavorful cuisine
  • Shorter commutes

Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • Hurricane risk
  • High humidity
  • Less job diversity
  • Pest issues
  • Different culture
Michigan iconMichigan
  • Great lakes
  • Four seasons
  • Thriving auto industry
  • Abundant nature
  • Friendly people

Pros of moving from Michigan to Louisiana

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Louisiana with lower taxes
  • Swap the industrial landscapes of Michigan for rich culture in Louisiana
  • Get ready for flavorful cuisine in Louisiana

Cons of moving from Michigan to Louisiana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the Great Lakes in Michigan to live with hurricane risk in Louisiana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of four seasons and have to settle for the con of high humidity
  • Time to bid farewell to the thriving auto industry and get used to less job diversity in Louisiana
  • Swap abundant nature for pest issues

Michigan vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMichiganLouisiana
Most iconic local food itemMichigan PastiesGumbo
Most popular meat dishDetroit-style PizzaJambalaya
Most popular street food itemConey DogPo'boy
Most popular vegan foodTempeh ReubensOkra Gumbo
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • Zingerman's Deli
  • The Whitney
  • Commander's Palace
  • Acme Oyster House
  • Willie Mae's Scotch House
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 Michigan to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Michigan Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reubens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Deli, and The Whitney. After the boxes are unpacked in Louisiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Louisiana's acclaimed eateries like Commander's Palace, Acme Oyster House, and Willie Mae's Scotch House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Louisiana

ComparisonMichiganLouisiana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchFrench Colonial, Creole
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 listingLake access, natural surroundingsClose proximity to festivals, French influence
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the French Colonial and Creole architecture typical of Louisiana.
  • Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and natural surroundings, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like close proximity to festivals and French influence.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Louisiana is more walkable than Michigan.
  • Louisiana is similarly bike-friendly to Michigan.
  • Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
  • Louisiana housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Michigan’s $239,770.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
  • Rent in Louisiana is 9.27% more affordable than in Michigan.

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

ComparisonMichiganLouisiana
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 DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)79/5891/74
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1762/42
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.860
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.660.2
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 26% more sunshine days than Michigan.
  • Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Louisiana.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 12 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
  • The average winter lows are 25 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 27.2 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Louisiana

ComparisonMichiganLouisiana
Avg. Household Income$66,986$55,416
Cost of Living Index91.296
State Income Tax4.25%2% to 6%
Avg. Property Tax1.54%0.53%
Avg. Sales Tax6%4.45%
Top 3 IndustriesAutomotive, Technology, AgricultureOil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 17% less than in Michigan
  • The COLI in Louisiana will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
  • The state income tax in LA is 2% to 6% compared to 4.25% in MI
  • The affluence in Louisiana is varied compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
  • The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to moderate poverty in Michigan
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Michigan and moderate in Louisiana

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Louisiana

ComparisonMichiganLouisiana
Political Make-upModerately liberalConservatively inclined
Local PoliticsDivided governance, competitive districtsRepublican stronghold, with some Democratic influence in urban areas
ReligionProtestant majority, significant Catholic populationStrong Catholic presence, particularly in the southern part
  • Michigan tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
  • Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively inclined
  • Louisiana's religious environment can be described as having a strong Catholic presence, particularly in the southern part
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority with a significant Catholic population

Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Louisiana

ComparisonMichiganLouisiana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsNova Classical Academy
Detroit Country Day School
Ann Arbor STEAM
Lusher Charter School
Metairie Park Country Day School
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics
Detroit Country Day School
East Grand Rapids Middle School
Lusher Charter School
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Top 3 High SchoolsInternational Academy
Detroit Country Day School
Cranbrook Kingswood
Benjamin Franklin High School
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Top 3 private high schoolsDetroit Country Day School
Cranbrook Kingswood
Greenhills School
Isidore Newman School
Metairie Park Country Day School
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCranbrook
Detroit Country Day School
Greenhills School
Isidore Newman School
Metairie Park Country Day School
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
Top 3 School DistrictsEast Grand Rapids Public Schools
Novi Community School District
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Jefferson Parish Public Schools
Orleans Parish School Board
Lafayette Parish School System

How Much Do Michigan to Louisiana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,166 miles from Michigan to Louisiana 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,864300 ft3$6.21
1 Bedroom$2,773450 ft3$6.16
2 Bedrooms$4,584750 ft3$6.11
3 Bedrooms$6,6681100 ft3$6.06
4 Bedrooms$9,6191600 ft3$6.01
5+ Bedrooms$10,7311800 ft3$5.96