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Michigan to Louisiana Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 2025

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
Michigan to Louisiana featured image

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-upPolitically competitive swing state; no party registration; urban/suburban areas often lean Democratic while many rural areas lean conservative; recent statewide leadership has skewed Democratic.Generally conservative in statewide and federal contests; Republicans hold most statewide offices and legislative majorities; party registration is used and independents are a notable share.
Local PoliticsCounties, cities, and townships play key roles; issues commonly center on manufacturing and technology economies, Great Lakes stewardship, roads and infrastructure, and public education.Parish-based governance (parish councils or police juries); strong roles for sheriffs and parish officials; priorities often include energy sector policy, coastal protection, flood control, and hurricane resilience.
ReligionChristian majority with sizable Catholic and Protestant communities; notable Muslim and Jewish communities in the Detroit area; a meaningful share identifies as religiously unaffiliated.Predominantly Christian; strong Catholic presence (especially in southern parishes) alongside evangelical Protestant communities; religious practice and church-centered community life are prominent.
  • Michigan tends to lean politically competitive as a swing state with no party registration, and urban and suburban areas often lean Democratic while many rural areas lean conservative; recent statewide leadership has skewed Democratic in its political climate
  • Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as generally conservative in statewide and federal contests with Republicans holding most statewide offices and legislative majorities, and party registration is used with independents making up a notable share.
  • Louisiana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a strong Catholic presence, especially in southern parishes, alongside evangelical Protestant communities; religious practice and church-centered community life are prominent.
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with sizable Catholic and Protestant communities, and notable Muslim and Jewish communities in the Detroit area; a meaningful share identifies as religiously unaffiliated.

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