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Is moving to Louisiana right for you?
The Pelican state celebrates lots of festivals every year making it one of the best places for outdoor lovers.
The state’s remarkable weather of 216 sunny days a year, low cost of living, and low housing costs make it appealing to people all of the ages including millennials and retirees.
If you love great tasty meals, bike riding, camping, shorter commuting time, affordable homes, and low cost of living, moving to Louisiana may be perfect for you.
If you’re considering moving to the Pelican State and wondering if it’s right for you or not, this guide contains all the key things you need to know about the state before making up your mind.
A quick look at the population and other demographics of Louisiana.
There are several reasons why moving to Louisiana is such a great idea.
Since you’re considering moving to the Pelican state, here are ten good reasons why many people are moving to Louisiana:
One of the biggest pluses of Louisiana is the extremely low cost of living. Groceries, healthcare, housing, transportation, and even entertainment are cheaper in Louisiana than the national average.
Buying a home is easier in Louisiana as the median home cost is $143,600, much lower than the national average. And 70% of Louisianans own a house. Even the home rental in the state is lower than the US national average.
Louisiana is a camper’s paradise and all over the state, there are amazing state parks and campgrounds for you to take advantage of.
We’ve got the 10 best camping places in Louisiana for you.
For bikers, there is no state better than Louisiana to set out on an adventure. Here are the 7 best biking routes in the state.
Unlike many parts of the US, Louisiana has a friendly climate, with a warm winter and not too hot summer. The state has a subtropical climate where summers are long and winters are short. There can be cyclones and the state averages over 60 days of thunderstorms a year.
The food scene in Louisiana is amazing. Boudin, beignets, king cakes, and pralines — the Pelican State has plenty of homegrown culinary creations you may have heard of, and a few more you probably haven’t.
We’ve compiled 10 must-try dishes in Louisiana.
When Louisiana hosts more than 400 hundred festivals each year, it’s no easy task to filter down the best 10, but still, we try for that.
This is the state where you can spot alligators in swamps, catch crawfish in bayous, and reel in speckled trout or redfish from the Gulf of Mexico. The bounty and fertility of the land here are simply incredible.
Here are 10 family-friendly outdoor activities in Louisiana.
Louisianans are kind, generous, thoughtful, and fierce. They have a welcoming attitude and it is not rare to start a conversation while standing at a bill counter. You are expected to be courteous and wish a stranger on the road and Louisianans do that.
For those who are crazy about nightlife, Louisiana is the new home. The state takes evening entertainment seriously and music is the universal language of the state. Live music by excellent musicians and recording artists pour from clubs, concert halls, and casino stages throughout the state.
With casinos and casino resorts scattered across the state, the range of entertainment Louisiana offers is huge.
One of the easiest ways to figure out if moving to Louisiana is right for you or not is to consider the pros and cons of living in the state.
If you’re moving to Louisiana, you’ll be interested in living in some of the best places in the state. The Pelican state is home to several beautiful and livable cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Here’s a list of the ten best places to live in the state if you’re moving to Louisiana:
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harahan | 9,304 | 3.6% | $240,300 |
| 2 | Mandeville | 12,448 | 2.7% | $288,900 |
| 3 | Addis | 5,274 | 3.7% | $205,100 |
| 4 | Youngsville | 13,407 | 4.6% | $222,800 |
| 5 | Covington | 10,372 | 2.8% | $232,900 |
| 6 | Zachary | 17,283 | 4.4% | $224,500 |
| 7 | Patterson | 5,953 | 3.1% | $101,000 |
| 8 | Lafayette | 126,666 | 5.1% | $195,400 |
| 9 | Kenner | 66,777 | 4.6% | $182,100 |
| 10 | Slidell | 27,822 | 7.0% | $161,700 |
The cost of living in Louisiana is rated 86.9. the United States average is 100.
That means the average cost of living in the state is lower than the United States average. This could be one of the key things you’ll have to consider if you’re moving to Louisiana.
| Cost of living | Louisiana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 86.9 | 100 |
| Grocery | 92.7 | 100 |
| Health | 93.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 62.1 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $143,600 | $231,200 |
| Utilities | 89.9 | 100 |
| Transportation | 108.2 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 95.6 | 100 |
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Start My Quote NowBuying a home can be a great idea if you’re moving to Louisiana. The state is known for its affordable homes and most of the state’s residents are homeowners.
Renting a home could be a key part of your plans if you’re moving to Louisiana. Home affordability rate is high in the Pelican state, which means the cost of buying or renting a home or apartment is low.
Since you’re considering moving to Louisiana, here’s a breakdown of the average cost of renting a home in the state:
Louisiana has recorded positive job growth so far.
Over the past year, jobs in the Pelican state have grown by 0.9%. Presently, the state’s unemployment rate is 6.6%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 6.0%. If you’re moving to Louisiana, here’s a breakdown of the state’s job market:
| Employment Information | Louisiana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $26,205 | $31,177 |
| Household Income | $46,710 | $57,652 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6 | 6.0% |
| Future Job Growth | 22.42% | 33.51% |
Moving to Louisiana could mean getting a new job with a new salary and income. The average pay in the state is also an indication of the state’s economic strength. The following is the average pay in the Pelican state since you’re considering moving to Louisiana:
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Start My Quote NowIf you’re considering a career switch after moving to Louisiana, we’ve made a list of the top ten career options in the state. Check out the list below to figure out where you fit in.
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary | # Of People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists | $287,840 | $185,620 | 270 |
| 2 | Anesthesiologists | $272,200 | $121,440 | 160 |
| 3 | Obstetricians And Gynecologists | $260,250 | $146,300 | 100 |
| 4 | Dentists, All Other Specialists | $254,090 | $184,200 | 80 |
| 5 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $223,980 | $114,460 | 410 |
| 6 | Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $221,420 | $90,410 | 4,680 |
| 7 | Chief Executives | $206,080 | $83,240 | 710 |
| 8 | Family Medicine Physicians | $204,500 | $70,840 | 360 |
| 9 | Athletes And Sports Competitors | $180,200 | $26,470 | 190 |
| 10 | Physicists | $162,930 | $48,300 | 40 |
Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Louisiana, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.
The Pelican state’s economy is propelled by several large industries. Since you’re considering moving to Louisiana, you may be interested in investing or working in any of these industries. Check out the list of the largest industries in Louisiana below:
Louisiana is home to several large companies including CenturyLink and Acadia Healthcare. If you’re interested in working for some of the largest companies in the Pelican state after moving to Louisiana, we’ve made a list here to help you get started.
| Rank | Company | City | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CenturyLink | Monroe | 45,000 |
| 2 | Acadia Healthcare | Lafayette | 40,600 |
| 3 | Ochsner Health System | Jefferson | 19,000 |
| 4 | Momentum | Baton Rouge | 17,976 |
| 5 | Odyssea Marine | OLarose | 17,000 |
| 6 | Amedisys Home Health and Hospice Care | Baton Rouge | 16,000 |
| 7 | Entergy | New Orleans | 13,504 |
| 8 | Future Pipe Industries | Baton Rouge | 9,700 |
| 9 | Turner Industries | Baton Rouge | 9,522 |
| 10 | Kronos Louisiana | Westlake | 7,303 |
Moving to Louisiana could mean paying higher or lower taxes depending on where you’re moving from.
To make it easier for you to make a fair comparison before making up your mind about moving to Louisiana, here’s a simple stat of the state’s tax rates:
There are several different things you can do in Louisiana – a state is never a boring place.
Check out a list of the best things to do in the state since you’re considering moving to Louisiana:
The State House of Louisiana or the Old State Capitol Baton Rouge is a historic government building and a museum overlooking the Mississippi River. The 19th-century building has found a place in the National Register of Historic Places and educates Louisiana's rich history and the democratic process through exhibits, programming, and the arts.
The French Quarter or Vieux Carré is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. One of the most visited attractions in New Orleans, there’s a reimagined French Market, modern boutiques, and artisan cocktails mixed with beloved antique stores and old restaurants. The district as a whole has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
The military history museum in New Orleans focuses on the US’ contribution to the victory of Allied Forces in World War II. Inspiring and educational, the Museum offers immersive exhibits, a 4D cinematic journey, soaring aircraft, personal histories, and more.
Of the hundreds of Louisiana festivals, none tops Mardi Gras. Packed with spectacular parades, unbelievable costumes, music, dancing, food, and drink, Mardi Gras is undoubtedly the best in the state. Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday
Formerly Yucca Plantation, Melrose Plantation is a historic house museum in Natchitoches Parish. One of the largest plantations in the US, built by and for free blacks, it is now a National Historic Landmark. Melrose Plantation contains nine historic buildings including the African House, Yucca House, Weaving Cabin, Bindery, and the Big House.
Louisiana is packed with many swamps, perhaps the most in the US. The swamps and bayous are home to countless species of fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals that thrive in and around its fertile waters. Taking a swamp tour is the best way to experience the intricate network of Louisiana’s scenic swamps.
A restored historic plantation on the west bank of the Mississippi River, Laura Plantation was originally built in 1804 by a French naval veteran of the American Revolution. The Creole-owned sugar plantation is now known for its extensive exhibitions on slavery and the South. There are several preserved original slave cabins.
A coastal state, Louisiana is home to some of the breathtaking and mesmerizing white sand beaches, often prettier than California and Florida.
Here are 10 amazing Louisiana beaches.
The 92,000- square-foot Sci-Port Discovery Center is a science and entertainment center featuring hands-on exhibits, programs, and demonstrations. The center encourages all ages to explore the world of math, science, technology and features an IMAX Dome Theater and laser Space Dome Planetarium.
USS KIDD is a WWII Fletcher-class destroyer, and National Historic Landmark restored to 1945 configuration. The museum ship is now berthed on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge and is the only surviving US destroyer still in her World War II configuration. The museum includes a P-40 aircraft, ship models, full-scale replica of the gun deck of Old Ironsides, WWI trench exhibit, and Louisiana Veterans Hall of Honor.
The 8,000- square foot historic home and former plantation in the West Feliciana Parish community of St. Francisville is known for its extensive formal gardens surrounding the house. Built in 1835 by the slaveholders Daniel and Martha Turnbull, the plantation's landscape is a laboratory for the study and interpretation of the cultural traditions of slavery, the lifestyle of the gentry, and scientific experiments in agriculture and horticulture.
The historic church at Saint Martinville was added to the National Register in 1972. St. Martin DE Tours Catholic Church is the fourth oldest church in the state, built in 1836.
The railroad artifacts of a bygone era are acquired, preserved, and displayed at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum to heighten public awareness of the role of the railroad industry in the US. The museum at Kansas City Southern Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The annual music and arts festival celebrates the French heritage of the region. The outdoor fest brings musicians, artists, and craftsmen from around the world and is held on the last full weekend in April. About 400,000 music lovers throng to be a part of the festival.
Moving to Louisiana most likely means living in the safest places in the state. To give you a head start, we’ve curated key stats about the state’s crime rate so you can make a fair comparison with other states. Check out the crime stats of Louisiana below:
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Moving to Louisiana most likely means living in the safest cities in the state. To make it easier for you to narrow down your house hunting, we’ve made a list of the ten safest cities in the state, if you’re moving to Louisiana:
| Rank | City | Population | Crime rate per 1,000 | Violent Crimes Per 100k | Property Crimes Per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandeville | 12371 | 18.83 | 1.29 | 17.54 |
| 2 | Covington | 10658 | 23.74 | 2.81 | 20.92 |
| 3 | Minden | 12215 | 22.02 | 1.47 | 20.55 |
| 4 | Gretna | 17965 | 35.68 | 4.79 | 30.89 |
| 5 | Abbeville | 12279 | 26.88 | 7.25 | 19.63 |
| 6 | De Ridder | 10820 | 28.74 | 0.92 | 27.82 |
| 7 | Kenner | 67556 | 32.49 | 2.29 | 30.20 |
| 8 | Baker | 13487 | 28.10 | 3.26 | 24.84 |
| 9 | Slidell | 27973 | 32.25 | 3.11 | 29.14 |
| 10 | Thibodaux | 14745 | 40.83 | 4.61 | 36.22 |
Louisiana is home to several top-quality schools. That includes universities, colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools.
If you’re moving to Louisiana, we’ve made a list of the best schools in the state to give you an idea of what to expect. Check out the list below:
Ernest Gallet Elementary School
Lafayette Parish, Public, PK-5 | 899 students, Rating: 9/10
Lake Forest Elementary Charter School
Orleans Parish, Charter, K-8 | 629 students, Rating: 9/10
Belle Chasse Elementary School
Plaquemines Parish, Public, 2-4 | 552 students, Rating: 9/10
Claiborne Fundamental Elementary School
Caddo Parish, Public, K-5 | 442 students, Rating: 9/10
Dularge Elementary School
Terrebonne Parish, Public, PK-6 | 359 students, Rating: 9/10
Lake Forest Elementary Charter School
Orleans Parish, Charter, K-8 | 629 students, Rating: 9/10
Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School
Caddo Parish, Public, 6-8 | 1216 students, Rating: 9/10
Forked Island/E. Broussard Elementary School
Vermilion Parish, Public, PK-8 | 301 students, Rating: 9/10
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Jefferson Parish, Public, 6-12 | 721 students, Rating: 9/10
Bayou Community Academy Charter School
Lafourche Parish, Charter, PK-8 | 486 students, Rating: 9/10
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Public, 9-12 | 239 students, Rating: 9/10
Tulane University of Louisiana - New Orleans, LA
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