Missouri to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 561 mile interstate move from Missouri to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like St. Louis-style BBQ vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs french creole, shotgun), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style BBQ and Burnt Ends, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Louisiana is 1.40% more affordable than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Missouri to Louisiana movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Louisiana
- Harsh winters
- Tornado risk
- Higher taxes
- Less cultural diversity
- Mild winters
- Coastal scenery
- Lower taxes
- Rich cultural tapestry
- Summer humidity
- Hurricane season
- Wetlands and swamps
- Urban congestion
- Four seasons
- Low hurricane risk
- Fertile farmland
- Ample land space
Pros of moving from Missouri to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from tornado risk and moving to Louisiana with coastal scenery
- Swap the higher taxes of Missouri for lower taxes in Louisiana
- Get ready for a rich cultural tapestry in Louisiana
Cons of moving from Missouri to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in Missouri to live with summer humidity in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of low hurricane risk and have to settle for the con of hurricane season
- Time to bid farewell to fertile farmland and get used to wetlands and swamps in Louisiana
- Swap ample land space for urban congestion
Missouri vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style BBQ | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Burnt Ends | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Po' boy Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower Wings | Red Beans and Rice |
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 Missouri to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Burnt Ends and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po' Boy Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Cauliflower Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Red Beans and Rice of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pi Pizzeria, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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, Willie Mae's Scotch House, and CafΓ© du Monde.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Louisiana
Comparison | Missouri | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | French Creole, Shotgun |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Historic details, proximity to water |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the French Creole and Shotgun architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to water.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Louisiana housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Louisiana is 1.40% more affordable than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Louisiana
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornadoes, floods | Hurricanes, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 21Β°F | 62Β°F / 42Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | <1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 1% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 3 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 18 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Louisiana
Comparison | Missouri | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 5.3% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 9.45% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Energy, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Stable | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 14% less than in Missouri
- The COLI in Louisiana will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in LA is 4.25% compared to 5.3% in MO
- The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to stable in Missouri
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and moderate in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Louisiana
Comparison | Missouri | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative | Conservative with Democratic strongholds |
Local Politics | Lean towards Republican, especially in rural areas | Diverse; Democratic in urban areas like New Orleans |
Religion | Christianity predominates, Baptists & Catholics significant | Strongly Catholic, especially in southern parts |
- Missouri tends to lean moderately Conservative in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with Democratic strongholds
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as strongly Catholic, especially in the southern parts
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates, with Baptists and Catholics being significant
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Louisiana
Comparison | Missouri | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary St. Louis; Wilson's Creek 5-6 Springfield; Vandover Early Childhood Fenton | Lusher Charter School New Orleans; South Highlands Elementary Magnet Shreveport; Edward Hynes Charter School New Orleans |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School St. Louis; Crestview Middle Ellisville; Wildwood Middle Wildwood | Caddo Parish Middle Magnet Shreveport; Lusher Charter School New Orleans; Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Metairie |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton High School Clayton; Ladue Horton Watkins High School St. Louis; Central High School Springfield | Benjamin Franklin High School New Orleans; Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Metairie; Baton Rouge Magnet High School Baton Rouge |
Top 3 private high schools | John Burroughs School St. Louis; Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis; MICDS St. Louis | Isidore Newman School New Orleans; Metairie Park Country Day School Metairie; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | MICDS St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; The Fulton School St. Albans | Isidore Newman School New Orleans; Metairie Park Country Day School Metairie; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge |
Top 3 School Districts | Kirkwood School District Clayton School District Ladue School District | Orleans Parish School District Zachary Community School District Central Community School System |
How Much Do Missouri to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 561 miles from Missouri to Louisiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,521 | 300 ft3 | $5.07 |
1 Bedroom | $2,258 | 450 ft3 | $5.02 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,726 | 750 ft3 | $4.97 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,410 | 1100 ft3 | $4.92 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,789 | 1600 ft3 | $4.87 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,673 | 1800 ft3 | $4.82 |
Top Missouri to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Louisiana