Movers

Washington to Louisiana Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 2,491 mile interstate move from Washington to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like gray, rainy weather vs abundant sunshine), food & health (like Salmon vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (modern, craftsman vs colonial, french creole), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Grilled Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
  • Louisiana housing costs are 66% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in Louisiana is 33.25% more affordable than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to Louisiana will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended Washington to Louisiana movers is Seattle Moves & More

Washington to Louisiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Louisiana

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • Gray, rainy weather
  • High cost of living
  • Earthquake risk
  • Traffic congestion
ProsLouisiana iconLouisiana
  • Abundant sunshine
  • More affordable housing
  • Less seismic activity
  • Reduced traffic

Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • Limited mountains
  • Fewer tech opportunities
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Fewer art venues
Washington iconWashington
  • Expansive national parks
  • Tech job market
  • Cooler summers
  • Vibrant arts scene

Pros of moving from Washington to Louisiana

  • Say goodbye to gray, rainy weather and hello to abundant sunshine
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Louisiana with more affordable housing
  • Swap the earthquake risk of Washington for less seismic activity in Louisiana
  • Get ready for reduced traffic in Louisiana

Cons of moving from Washington to Louisiana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from expansive national parks in Washington to live with limited mountains in Louisiana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a tech job market and have to settle with the con of fewer tech opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to cooler summers and get used to hot, humid summers in Louisiana
  • Swap the vibrant arts scene for fewer art venues

Washington vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonLouisiana
Most iconic local food itemSalmonGumbo
Most popular meat dishGrilled SalmonJambalaya
Most popular street food itemFood Truck TacosPo'boy Sandwiches
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladRed Beans and Rice
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Commander's Palace
  • Antoine's
  • Cochon
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 Washington to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic salmon of Washington for the equally delicious gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful grilled salmon and sumptuous food truck tacos, Louisiana residents know they have tasty jambalaya and po'boy sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the quinoa salad 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 Washington eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and Mamnoon. 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, Antoine's, and Cochon.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Louisiana

ComparisonWashingtonLouisiana
Typical Architecture StyleModern, CraftsmanColonial, French Creole
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 listingGreen spaces, tech-ready homesHistoric properties, waterfronts
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and French Creole architecture typical of Louisiana.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and tech-ready homes, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and waterfronts.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Louisiana is less walkable than Washington.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Louisiana is less bike-friendly than Washington.
  • Louisiana has less of an urban feel than Washington.
  • Louisiana housing costs are 66% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in Louisiana is 33.25% more affordable than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonLouisiana
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 DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F / 55Β°F91Β°F / 73Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 36Β°F62Β°F / 42Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)38"60"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"<1"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 41% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • Louisiana has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, 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 16 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Louisiana

ComparisonWashingtonLouisiana
Avg. Household Income$91,306$55,416
Cost of Living Index104.196
State Income Tax0%2% - 6%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.53%
Avg. Sales Tax9.29%9.45%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, AgricultureEnergy, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceProsperousModerate
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessConcerningProblematic
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 39% less than those in Washington
  • The COLI in Louisiana will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer... By moving from WA to LA, you'll now have a state income tax of 2% - 6%
  • The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to prosperous in Washington
  • The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to moderate in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Washington and problematic in Louisiana

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Louisiana

ComparisonWashingtonLouisiana
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive urban areas; conservative ruralConservative with pockets of liberal influence in cities
ReligionLess religious overall; diverse religious communitiesHigher religious engagement; predominantly Christian
  • Washington tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • Louisiana's religious environment can be described as having higher religious engagement and predominantly Christian
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall and diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Louisiana

ComparisonWashingtonLouisiana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Gonzaga University
Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Louisiana
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Challenge Elementary (Everett)
Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor)
Lusher Charter School (New Orleans)
South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport)
T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (Lake Charles)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational Community School (Kirkland)
Odle Middle School (Bellevue)
Lakeside Middle School (Seattle)
Caddo Parish Middle Magnet (Shreveport)
Glasgow Middle (Baton Rouge)
Lusher Charter School (New Orleans)
Top 3 High School SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans)
Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies (Metairie)
Baton Rouge Magnet High School (Baton Rouge)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Overlake School (Redmond)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Isidore Newman School (New Orleans)
Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie)
Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Overlake School (Redmond)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
Isidore Newman School (New Orleans)
Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie)
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge)
Top 3 School DistrictsLake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District
Zachary Community School District
Central Community School System
West Feliciana Parish School District

How Much Do Washington to Louisiana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,491 miles from Washington to Louisiana will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,615300 ft3$8.72
1 Bedroom$3,900450 ft3$8.67
2 Bedrooms$6,462750 ft3$8.62
3 Bedrooms$9,4221100 ft3$8.57
4 Bedrooms$13,6251600 ft3$8.52
5+ Bedrooms$15,2381800 ft3$8.47

Top Washington to Louisiana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Washington to Louisiana

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
First Due Movers featured image

First Due Movers

9.25/10
ExceptionalView details