Moving to or from Louisiana?
The most culturally distinct state in the country. Jazz and Creole cooking in New Orleans, Cajun culture in Acadiana, bayous and plantations in between — and a hurricane forecast that shapes every summer.
- #25 Population rank
- 4,600,000 Residents
- New Orleans Largest city
- Baton Rouge State capital
Why people move to Louisiana.
- New Orleans — the most culturally distinct US city; Mardi Gras, jazz, Creole and Cajun cooking
- Cajun country (Acadiana) — 22 parishes with unique French-Acadian heritage, crawfish boils, and zydeco music
- Parishes instead of counties — Louisiana is the only US state with this French-origin naming
- Napoleonic Code legal system — the only US state not based on English common law
- Oil, gas, and shipping — the Port of South Louisiana is the busiest port in the Western Hemisphere
- Strong net outflow since Hurricane Katrina in 2005; still recovering population
Where people spend their time.
- French Quarter New Orleans
- National WWII Museum New Orleans
- Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral New Orleans
- Louisiana State Capitol Baton Rouge
- Atchafalaya Basin South Central LA
- Avery Island (Tabasco) Iberia Parish
- Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Metairie
- Natchitoches Historic District Natchitoches
Biggest cities in Louisiana.
Where most of Louisiana's moves originate and terminate.
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New Orleans Pop. 365,000
Largest LA city; French Quarter, Mardi Gras, jazz, and Creole/Cajun cuisine capital
Explore New Orleans guide -
Baton Rouge Pop. 220,000
State capital; LSU; refining and petrochemical hub
Explore Baton Rouge guide -
Shreveport Pop. 190,000
Northwest Louisiana; casino gaming and film industry
Explore Shreveport guide -
Lafayette Pop. 125,000
Cajun country capital; Acadiana's economic and cultural center
Explore Lafayette guide -
Lake Charles Pop. 85,000
Southwest Louisiana; petrochemical and casino hub; hurricane-hit 2020
Explore Lake Charles guide -
Bossier City Pop. 68,000
Across the Red River from Shreveport; Barksdale Air Force Base
Explore Bossier City guide -
Kenner Pop. 66,000
Jefferson Parish; Louis Armstrong Airport-adjacent
Explore Kenner guide -
Monroe Pop. 45,000
Northeast Louisiana; Ouachita Parish; CenturyLink heritage
Explore Monroe guide
Where Louisiana movers come from and go to.
Most common moves to Louisiana from:
Most common moves out of Louisiana to:
Detailed guides for Louisiana city moves.
Each guide includes vetted movers, neighborhoods, climate, drive time, and what to expect on arrival.
Moving from a Louisiana city:
From New Orleans:
- to Los Angeles, CA
- to Austin, TX
- to New York City, NY
- to Miami, FL
- to Chicago, IL
- to Phoenix, AZ
- to Charlotte, NC
- to Atlanta, GA
- to Dallas, TX
- to Houston, TX
- to Boston, MA
- to Seattle, WA
- to Denver, CO
- to Nashville, TN
- to Orlando, FL
- to Tampa, FL
- to San Francisco, CA
- to Portland, OR
- to Las Vegas, NV
- to San Diego, CA
- to Salt Lake City, UT
- to Minneapolis, MN
- to Raleigh, NC
- to San Antonio, TX
- to Indianapolis, IN
- to Philadelphia, PA
- to Washington, DC
- to Detroit, MI
- to Jacksonville, FL
- to Sacramento, CA
- to Columbus, OH
- to Pittsburgh, PA
- to Memphis, TN
- to Louisville, KY
- to Cleveland, OH
- to Kansas City, MO
- to Cincinnati, OH
- to St. Louis, MO
- to Milwaukee, WI
- to Buffalo, NY
- to Albuquerque, NM
Moving to a Louisiana city:
To New Orleans:
- from Los Angeles, CA
- from Austin, TX
- from New York City, NY
- from Miami, FL
- from Chicago, IL
- from Phoenix, AZ
- from Charlotte, NC
- from Atlanta, GA
- from Dallas, TX
- from Houston, TX
- from Boston, MA
- from Seattle, WA
- from Denver, CO
- from Nashville, TN
- from Orlando, FL
- from Tampa, FL
- from San Francisco, CA
- from Portland, OR
- from Las Vegas, NV
- from San Diego, CA
- from Salt Lake City, UT
- from Minneapolis, MN
- from Raleigh, NC
- from San Antonio, TX
- from Indianapolis, IN
- from Philadelphia, PA
- from Washington, DC
- from Detroit, MI
- from Jacksonville, FL
- from Sacramento, CA
- from Columbus, OH
- from Pittsburgh, PA
- from Memphis, TN
- from Louisville, KY
- from Cleveland, OH
- from Kansas City, MO
- from Cincinnati, OH
- from St. Louis, MO
- from Milwaukee, WI
- from Buffalo, NY
- from Albuquerque, NM
Planning a Louisiana move.
Humid subtropical. Hot, very humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; mild winters with rare freezing temps in the south. Gulf hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with high risk August through October — Louisiana sits in the primary Gulf hurricane path. Flooding from storm surge and river overflow is a routine concern.
- Louisiana is the most hurricane-exposed state in the country. Hurricanes Katrina (2005), Ida (2021), and Laura (2020) all caused catastrophic damage. Moves August through October should build 5–7 day weather buffers, confirm storm-rescheduling clauses, and avoid committing to firm move dates during active systems.
- New Orleans sits below sea level in many neighborhoods. Flood-zone status matters for moving logistics and ongoing costs — flood insurance in high-risk zones can exceed $3,000/year. Confirm elevation certificates and FEMA flood-zone status before closing on any NOLA property.
- The French Quarter has narrow streets (many still brick or cobblestone), historic-preservation rules limiting truck access, and strict parking enforcement. Most NOLA movers use smaller box trucks or shuttle service for French Quarter moves. Ask about historic-district surcharges.
- Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties, and the Napoleonic Code legal system differs from the English common-law system used in every other state. This mostly affects real estate contracts and inheritance — not moving logistics directly, but something to know before closing.
Intrastate household-goods movers in Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) and carry a valid common carrier certificate. Verify any LA mover's license at the LPSC public lookup before signing. Interstate movers also need a USDOT number from the FMCSA.
Moving in Louisiana: FAQ.
How much does it cost to move within Louisiana?
New Orleans local moves run $800–$2,800 for a 1–2 bedroom and $2,700–$6,500 for a 3–4 bedroom. French Quarter and historic-district moves carry a 15–25% premium for shuttle-truck service. Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are 10–20% cheaper than NOLA.
How serious is hurricane season in Louisiana?
Very serious. Louisiana is in the primary Gulf hurricane path and has been hit by catastrophic storms every decade for the last 70 years. Katrina (2005) displaced hundreds of thousands of New Orleanians permanently. Ida (2021) and Laura (2020) both caused tens of billions in damage. August–October is peak risk; have flexible move dates during those months and confirm flood-zone status of your destination.
Do Louisiana movers need a state license?
Yes. Household-goods movers operating within Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). Always verify a mover's certificate before booking. Unlicensed movers are most common in the New Orleans market — check first.
Should I avoid moving during Mardi Gras?
Yes, if your origin or destination is in New Orleans. Mardi Gras parades run for roughly two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday (which falls between early February and early March depending on the year). Parade routes close streets, hotels price-spike, and moving trucks can't easily access many neighborhoods. Plan around it or 3–4 weeks before or after.
Why are people leaving Louisiana?
Cost of hurricanes and home insurance, economic stagnation in many parishes, and slow post-Katrina recovery. Home insurance in coastal Louisiana has become extraordinarily expensive, driving families to Texas, Florida, and Mississippi. New Orleans remains roughly 20% smaller than its pre-Katrina population.
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