Movers

Virginia to Louisiana Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 1,015 mile interstate move from Virginia to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Ham vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs french creole, plantation), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
  • Louisiana housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Louisiana is 28.10% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Louisiana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Louisiana movers is ARS Movers

Virginia vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaLouisiana
Most iconic local food itemHamGumbo
Most popular meat dishBarbecueJambalaya
Most popular street food itemOystersPo'boys
Most popular vegan foodKale saladOkra gumbo (vegan)
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Leaping Lizard CafΓ©
  • La Madeleine
  • Commander's Palace
  • Dooky Chase's Restaurant
  • 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 Virginia to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Oysters, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boys to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra gumbo (vegan) of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Leaping Lizard CafΓ©, and La Madeleine. 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, Dooky Chase's Restaurant, and Willie Mae's Scotch House.

When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Louisiana

ComparisonVirginiaLouisiana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodFrench Creole, Plantation
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 listingHardwood floors, Granite countertopsLarge yards, Outdoor living spaces
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the French Creole and Plantation architecture typical of Louisiana.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and outdoor living spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Louisiana has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Louisiana housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Louisiana is 28.10% more affordable than in Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Louisiana

ComparisonVirginiaLouisiana
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 DisastersHurricanes, Winter StormsHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 65Β°F91Β°F / 74Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 29Β°F62Β°F / 42Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"60"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10"<1"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 5% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Louisiana has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and winter storms in Virginia, 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 Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 16 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Louisiana

ComparisonVirginiaLouisiana
Avg. Household Income$85,873$55,416
Cost of Living Index96.696
State Income Tax5.756
Avg. Property Tax0.820.52
Avg. Sales Tax5.39.45
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Government, AgricultureEnergy, Chemicals, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateLow
PovertyLowHigh
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 35% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Louisiana will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in LA is 6 compared to 5.75 in VA
  • The affluence in Louisiana is low compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Virginia and low in Louisiana

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Louisiana

ComparisonVirginiaLouisiana
Political Make-upSwing State, recently leaning DemocraticStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsMix of liberal urban areas and conservative rural regionsConservative across most areas, with some liberal pockets in cities like <a href="https://nola.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">New Orleans</a>
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areasPrimarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population
  • Virginia tends to lean swing state, recently leaning Democratic in its political climate
  • Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Louisiana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Louisiana

ComparisonVirginiaLouisiana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Louisiana
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsNuckols Farm Elementary - Henrico
Arlington Science Focus School - Arlington
Nottingham Elementary - Arlington
Lusher Charter School - New Orleans
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies - Metairie
Edward Hynes Charter School - New Orleans
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School - Falls Church
Henley Middle School - Crozet
Frost Middle School - Fairfax
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies - Metairie
Lusher Charter School - New Orleans
Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies - Gretna
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology - Alexandria
McLean High School - McLean
Langley High School - McLean
Benjamin Franklin High School - New Orleans
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy - Jefferson
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies - Metairie
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Madeira School - McLean
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School - Alexandria
The Potomac School - McLean
Isidore Newman School - New Orleans
Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Potomac School - McLean
Flint Hill School - Oakton
Norfolk Academy - Norfolk
Isidore Newman School - New Orleans
Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge
Top 3 School DistrictsFalls Church City Public Schools
Henrico County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Orleans Parish School District
Jefferson Parish Public School System
East Baton Rouge Parish School System

How Much Do Virginia to Louisiana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,015 miles from Virginia to Louisiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,778300 ft3$5.93
1 Bedroom$2,644450 ft3$5.88
2 Bedrooms$4,370750 ft3$5.83
3 Bedrooms$6,3541100 ft3$5.78
4 Bedrooms$9,1621600 ft3$5.73
5+ Bedrooms$10,2171800 ft3$5.68

Top Virginia to Louisiana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Louisiana

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details