Michigan to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 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
Top Michigan to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for Michigan to Louisiana

Henry Hauling LLC

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery
Michigan to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Louisiana
- Harsh winters
- Higher taxes
- Industrial landscapes
- Limited spices
- Long commutes
- Mild winters
- Lower taxes
- Rich culture
- Flavorful cuisine
- Shorter commutes
- Hurricane risk
- High humidity
- Less job diversity
- Pest issues
- Different culture
- 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
Comparison | Michigan | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Michigan Pasties | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Po'boy |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reubens | Okra Gumbo |
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 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
Comparison | Michigan | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | French Colonial, Creole |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, natural surroundings | Close 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 Michiganβs $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
Comparison | Michigan | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/58 | 91/74 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/17 | 62/42 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 0.2 |
- 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
Comparison | Michigan | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 2% to 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4.45% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Technology, Agriculture | Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Michigan | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately liberal | Conservatively inclined |
Local Politics | Divided governance, competitive districts | Republican stronghold, with some Democratic influence in urban areas |
Religion | Protestant majority, significant Catholic population | Strong 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
Comparison | Michigan | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Nova Classical Academy Detroit Country Day School Ann Arbor STEAM | Lusher Charter School Metairie Park Country Day School Benjamin Franklin Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West 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 Schools | International 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 schools | Detroit 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 schools | Cranbrook Detroit Country Day School Greenhills School | Isidore Newman School Metairie Park Country Day School Episcopal School of Baton Rouge |
Top 3 School Districts | East 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,864 | 300 ft3 | $6.21 |
1 Bedroom | $2,773 | 450 ft3 | $6.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,584 | 750 ft3 | $6.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,668 | 1100 ft3 | $6.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,619 | 1600 ft3 | $6.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,731 | 1800 ft3 | $5.96 |