Moving to Louisiana? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Louisiana is a southern state in the United States, known for its vibrant culture and historical significance. It is home to several major cities, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, and is famous for its rich cultural history including Mardi Gras festivals, jazz music and World War Two significance.

If you are considering moving to Louisiana, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Louisiana Facts:

Population: 4.624 million (2019)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $51,729 (2019)
Random Fact: Louisiana is world famous for Mardi Gras – and has more alligators than any other US state
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Louisiana

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$3,800 – $6,000
Texas	$2,200 – $3,800
Florida	$2,700 – $4,500
New York	$4,000 – $6,500
Pennsylvania	$3,500 – $5,700
Illinois	$3,000 – $5,000
Ohio	$2,900 – $4,700
Georgia	$2,500 – $4,300
North Carolina	$2,800 – $4,600
Michigan	$3,200 – $5,400

2. Louisiana Housing Costs

The range of rental and house purchase prices in Louisiana varies depending on the location, with some of the more upscale areas such as Uptown New Orleans and Garden District commanding higher prices. The median home value in Louisiana is around $179,000, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New Orleans is around $1,200 per month.

Monthly Rental Prices in Louisiana:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,240+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $960+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,175+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,725+

Louisiana Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $1,450+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,345+

Louisiana Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Louisiana compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 49.7% more expensive
New York is 65.4% more expensive
Los Angeles is 52.2% more expensive
Toronto is 29.7% more expensive
Sydney is 39.2% more expensive
Paris is 20.3% more expensive
Dubai is 29% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Spare Room.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Louisiana offers a range of rental and house purchase prices depending on the location. Generally, more upscale areas like Uptown New Orleans and Garden District command higher prices, while other areas may offer more affordable options. Outside of New Orleans, other cities like Baton Rouge and Shreveport offer more affordable housing options.

3. Louisiana Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Louisiana is renowned for its unique and diverse cuisine, which is heavily influenced by French, African, and Native American cultures. Some famous foods to be aware of include gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, beignets, and crawfish, while drink trends include classic cocktails like the Sazerac and Hurricane, as well as craft beer and locally distilled spirits.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.50
Takeout Coffee: $4.50
Bottle of Coke: $2.00
1L of Milk: $1.10
Loaf of Bread: $3.15
12 Eggs: $2.60
1kg Chicken: $9.90
1kg Beef: $16.70
1kg Apples: $4.85
1kg White Rice: $3.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 17.1% more expensive and groceries are 11.1% cheaper than Louisiana.
New York restaurants are 29.1% more expensive and groceries are 35.7% more expensive than Louisiana.
Los Angeles restaurants are 24.9% more expensive and groceries are 18.8% more expensive than Louisiana.
Toronto restaurants are 5.7% more expensive and groceries are 6.7% more expensive than Louisiana.
Sydney restaurants are 5.3% more expensive and groceries are 18.5% more expensive than Louisiana.
Paris restaurants are 0.6% more expensive and groceries are 17.1% more expensive than Louisiana.
Dubai restaurants are 0.8% more expensive and groceries are 3.8% cheaper than Louisiana.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Louisiana has a vibrant farmers’ market scene, with many cities and towns hosting weekly markets offering fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal products. In terms of supermarkets, Louisiana has a range of options from affordable chains like Walmart and Winn-Dixie to more upscale stores like Whole Foods and Rouses Market, with prices varying depending on location and product.
Find Cheap Eats: Louisiana has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. Louisiana Alcohol Costs

Louisiana, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $3.50
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.60
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $2.60
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $17.50

How To Drink For Less in Louisiana:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Louisiana North Shore.

5. Louisiana Transportation Fares

Public transport options in Louisiana vary depending on the city, but most major cities have bus systems and some have streetcar lines, particularly in New Orleans. However, public transport in rural areas can be limited, so it’s important to have access to a car if living outside of urban centres.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.75
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $56.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Louisiana

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Louisiana is around 20-25 degrees Celsius, with the hottest month being July and the coldest month being January. The wettest month is typically June, with high levels of humidity throughout the year.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $45.00
Summer Dress: $40.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $80.00
Business Shoes: $80.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $80.00
Deodorant: $3.75
Shampoo: $4.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.30
Gym Membership: $41.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $11.50

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Louisiana

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Louisiana. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Louisiana from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Louisiana:

Volkswagen Golf: $24,495+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.75

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Louisiana:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Yelp.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Louisiana

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax in Louisiana is relatively high compared to other states in the US, with a state sales tax rate of 4.45% and an average local sales tax rate of 4.89%, making the total sales tax rate around 9.34%. However, there are some exemptions and special rates for certain items and industries.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Louisiana you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Louisiana

If you do make the move to Louisiana, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $310
New York: $70
Los Angeles: $80
Toronto: $120
Vancouver: $150
Dubai: $1,000
Sydney: $1,100
Melbourne: $1,200
Cape Town: $665
Hong Kong: $730

Other Tips on Moving to Louisiana:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Louisiana but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Louisiana Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Louisiana.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Louisiana always has something going on. Have a look at Louisiana Travel.

12. Moving to Louisiana with a Family

Louisiana has many family-friendly areas, particularly in the suburbs of major cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans, which offer good schools, parks, and cultural attractions. However, Louisiana also has higher-than-average crime rates, particularly in urban areas, so it’s important to research specific neighbourhoods and take precautions to stay safe.

New Parents (or parents to be): Free and paid antenatal classes and courses exist. Have a look at Louisiana.gov.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: There are several family-friendly areas in Louisiana, depending on one’s preferences and needs. In general, suburbs of major cities like Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette are popular for families due to their good schools, parks, and family-oriented amenities. Some specific neighbourhoods and areas that are often considered family-friendly include Mandeville and Madisonville on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the Garden District in Baton Rouge, and the River Ranch in Lafayette.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Louisiana. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Louisiana for Work

While it is possible to move to Louisiana without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in Louisiana include petrochemical production, agriculture, healthcare, and tourism.

The current unemployment rate in Louisiana is around 6.2%, slightly higher than the national average.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Louisiana from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Louisiana, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: Louisiana is roughly 1.2 times larger than the Australian Capital Territory, which is a territory in Australia.
Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Louisiana from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Louisiana. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: In terms of land area, the province of Manitoba in Canada is comparable in size to Louisiana. Both Louisiana and Manitoba have a land area of approximately 250,000 square kilometres.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Louisiana from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Louisiana. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Louisiana is roughly 1.7 times larger than the county of Cornwall in England.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Louisiana, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Louisiana you can start by comparing moving quotes here.