New Jersey to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,352 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs colonial, creole, plantation), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Louisiana is 46.32% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Louisiana will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Louisiana movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Louisiana
- High cost of living
- Dense population
- Harsh winters
- Traffic congestion
- Property taxes
- Lower living expenses
- More space
- Mild winters
- Less traffic
- Lower taxes
- Far from major hubs
- Hurricane threats
- Limited diversity
- Weaker education system
- Less public transit
- Proximity to NYC
- Four seasons
- Diverse culture
- Renowned schools
- Public transportation
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Louisiana with more space
- Swap the harsh winters of New Jersey for mild winters in Louisiana
- Get ready for less traffic in Louisiana
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to NYC in New Jersey to live far from major hubs in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of four seasons and have to settle for the con of hurricane threats
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to limited diversity in Louisiana
- Swap renowned schools for a weaker education system
New Jersey vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Po'boys |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Samosas | Okra Gumbo (Vegan Version) |
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 New Jersey to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boys to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Samosas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo (Vegan Version) of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, White House Sub Shop, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. 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 New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Louisiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Colonial, Creole, Plantation |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Public Transit, Proximity to NYC | Historic Districts, Spacious Yards |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial, Creole, and Plantation architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference public transit and proximity to NYC, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic districts and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Louisiana is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Louisiana is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Louisiana has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Louisiana housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Louisiana is 46.32% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Louisiana
Comparison | New Jersey | 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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 91/73 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 62/42 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | <1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 4% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 6 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 13 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Louisiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 10.75% | 2% - 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology | Petrochemicals, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Controlled | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 42% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Louisiana is 26% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in LA is 2% to 6% compared to 1.4% to 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to prosperous in New Jersey
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is controlled in New Jersey and moderate in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Louisiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic leaning | Conservative/Republican leaning |
Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban centers | Mix of conservative leadership and policies |
Religion | Diverse; significant Catholic and Jewish communities | Dominantly Catholic, strong Evangelical presence |
- New Jersey tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as dominantly Catholic with a strong Evangelical presence
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with significant Catholic and Jewish communities
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Louisiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Riverside Elementary School (Princeton) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Milton Elementary School (Milton) Lake Forest Elementary Charter School (New Orleans) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) The Pennington School (Pennington) Ranney School (Tinton Falls) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Orleans Parish School Board Jefferson Parish Public School System East Baton Rouge Parish School System |
How Much Do New Jersey to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,352 miles from New Jersey to Louisiana will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,969 | 300 ft3 | $6.56 |
1 Bedroom | $2,931 | 450 ft3 | $6.51 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,847 | 750 ft3 | $6.46 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,055 | 1100 ft3 | $6.41 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,181 | 1600 ft3 | $6.36 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,364 | 1800 ft3 | $6.31 |
Top New Jersey to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Louisiana