Tennessee to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 577 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like summer humidity vs mardi gras celebrations), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs creole and french colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in Louisiana is 21.72% more affordable than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Tennessee to Louisiana movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Tennessee to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Louisiana
- Summer humidity
- Higher cost of living
- Limited coastal access
- Mardi Gras celebrations
- Affordable housing
- Gulf Coast beaches
- Hurricane threats
- Higher sales tax
- Louisianaβs extreme humidity
- Four seasons
- Low tax rates
- Music culture
Pros of moving from Tennessee to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to summer humidity and hello to Mardi Gras celebrations
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Louisiana with affordable housing
- Swap the limited coastal access of Tennessee for Gulf Coast beaches in Louisiana
Cons of moving from Tennessee to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in Tennessee to live with hurricane threats in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of low tax rates and have to settle with the con of higher sales tax
- Time to bid farewell to music culture and get used to Louisianaβs extreme humidity in Louisiana
Tennessee vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Memphis BBQ | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Nachos | Po'boys |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Okra Gumbo |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Tennessee to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous BBQ Nachos, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boys to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Tennessee eateries like The Loveless Cafe, Prince's Hot Chicken, and Rendezvous. 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, Galatoire's, and CafΓ© du Monde.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Louisiana
Comparison | Tennessee | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Creole and French Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, mountain views | Vintage charm, proximity to water |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Creole and French Colonial architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and mountain views, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like vintage charm and proximity to water.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- Louisiana housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased 13% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in Louisiana is 21.72% more affordable than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Louisiana
Comparison | Tennessee | 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, Storms | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 30Β°F | 62Β°F / 42Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54 | 60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 0 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 3% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Tennessee, 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 4 degrees warmer than in Tennessee.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Louisiana
Comparison | Tennessee | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2-6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.63% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 9.52% |
Top 3 Industries | Health Care, Manufacturing, Retail | Energy, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 15% less than those in Tennessee
- The COLI in Louisiana will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from TN to LA, you'll now have a state income tax of 2-6%
- The affluence in Louisiana is lower compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
- The poverty level is higher in Louisiana compared to moderate poverty in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Tennessee and lower in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Louisiana
Comparison | Tennessee | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican | Mixed; leans Democratic in urban areas |
Local Politics | Strong focus on business and taxes | Significant emphasis on local governance and culture |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Catholicism, alongside significant Evangelical Protestant communities |
- Tennessee tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and leans Democratic in urban areas
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as Catholicism alongside significant Evangelical Protestant communities
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Louisiana
Comparison | Tennessee | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University University of Memphis | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Linden Elementary School (Oak Ridge) A. Maceo Walker Middle School (Memphis) Lockeland Elementary School (Nashville) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) South Highlands Elementary Magnet School (Shreveport) Lake Forest Elementary Charter School (New Orleans) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Meigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville) Thurgood Marshall Middle School (Nashville) Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) | Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School (Shreveport) Young Audiences Charter School (Gretna) |
Top 3 High Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Ravenwood High School (Brentwood) | 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 | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) The Webb School (Bell Buckle) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Nashville The Baylor School (Chattanooga) Ensworth School (Nashville) | Louise S. McGehee School (New Orleans) The Dunham School (Baton Rouge) Ridgewood Preparatory School (Metairie) |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Oak Ridge City Schools | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Ascension Parish Schools |
How Much Do Tennessee to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 577 miles from Tennessee 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,530 | 300 ft3 | $5.10 |
1 Bedroom | $2,272 | 450 ft3 | $5.05 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,749 | 750 ft3 | $5.00 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,444 | 1100 ft3 | $4.95 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,838 | 1600 ft3 | $4.90 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,728 | 1800 ft3 | $4.85 |
Top Tennessee to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Louisiana