Planning on moving to Louisiana? We have to say the state does have its fair share of surprises waiting for you. Prime ones among them are a colorful culture, fascinating history, and the low cost of living.

Uprooting your existing life and moving to a new location can be a difficult decision. It’s necessary that you do the right amount of research before you take the actual step of moving to Louisiana.

In this article we have included all the important details you need to know about the Pelican State.

Louisiana Facts

Located in the southern part of the USA, Louisiana has a land area of around 43,601 square miles. It has a population of 4.66 million with a population density of 106.9/sq.mile. Baton Rogues is the capital of Louisiana and New Orleans is the largest city.

Since the brown pelican is the state bird, it’s called the Pelican state. The Mississippi River flowing through the state gives rise to plenty of swamps, wetlands, and waterways. The state has spectacular landscapes and a rich wildlife including the well-known American alligator. The state also boasts of more than 400 annual festivals. No wonder, it’s the festival capital of America.

The climate of Louisiana is humid subtropical. Summers are hot and humid, while the winters are mild. The northern part of the state is slightly cooler while the areas closer to the Gulf of Mexico are steamier. Snow is rare in the southern zone and the northern end may receive mild snowfall once in a few years. 

Louisiana is frequently affected by major hurricanes and there are quite a few thunderstorms during summer. Hurricanes mostly form in the period between June to November. On average, the state faces 27 tornadoes in a year. There are also floods resulting from prolonged rainfalls. Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness play an important role in maintaining the safety and security of the public in case of any disasters.

Top Cities in Louisiana

Moving to Louisiana is all about knowing the beautiful cities that are a hub of activities and festivities. Each town has its own distinct charm and stands apart from the rest. Some of the best cities for living in the state are listed below.

New Orleans

Covering an area of  349.85 square miles, New Orleans is the most populated city in Louisiana. A vibrant city with exciting nightlife and delectable Creole cuisine, New Orleans is famous for its annual Mardi Gras festival.

Baton Rouge

Located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, Baton Rouge is the second biggest city in Louisiana. Apart from being the state capital, it’s also a major educational and industrial center. It’s home to some of the top universities in the state, including the Louisiana State University and Southern University.

Mandeville

Mandeville is separated from New Orleans by Lake Pontchartrain. However, it shares much of New Orleans’s colorful character. With award-winning restaurants and an excellent schooling system, Mandeville has a family-friendly environment. It also won an eCity award in 2013 because of the efficiency of its small businesses in using the internet.

Shreveport

Shreveport is the third most populous city in Louisiana. Together with its sister city Bossier it forms the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area. The city is a major destination for tourists due to the popular riverboat casinos and other places of historical significance.

Lafayette

Lafayette is the fourth largest city in the state and is located on the banks of the Vermilion River. It’s a city with a colorful past and a rich French heritage. Lafayette has a vibrant arts community and a growing tourism industry due to the popularity of its Cajun food and music.

Cost of Living in Louisiana

The average cost of living index in Louisiana stands at 89.9. This is lower than the US average of 100. While the rental prices will vary depending on the city and location, the housing cost index stands at 62.1. 

On the whole, it’s cheaper to rent a property in Louisiana than buying. The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,234. The figure is much higher than the median monthly rent is $825.

The grocery and health costs are lower than the US average. It’s the same for healthcare costs. For a 40-year old, the average cost of health insurance in Louisiana is around $596 a month. However, insurance rates depend on a variety of factors.

Coming to transportation costs, the figures are higher than the national average. Apart from personal vehicles, transportation options include passenger trains, car rentals, Amtrak, charter buses, and public bus systems. The food costs are lower than the national average.

When it comes to income tax, the rates in Louisiana are lower than the national average. Listed below are the income tax brackets against annual incomes.

For Single Filers

• Between $0 – $12,500: 2%
• Between $12,501 – $50,000: 4%
• Above $50,001: 6%

For Married Filing Jointly

• Between $0 – $25,000: 2%
• Between $25,001 – $100,000 : 4%
• Above $100,001: 6%

Louisiana Economy

The most important employment sectors in Louisiana are health care and social assistance, retail, and technical services. Some of the top-performing industries are energy, biosciences,

advanced manufacturing, and aerospace. The per capita personal disposable income in Louisiana stood at $45,988 in 2020. The median income is $25,885

Due to the effect of the pandemic on the sectors like tourism and casinos, the economy was hit in 2020 and there were significant job losses. 100% recovery of the economy is being expected at some point in late 2022 or early 2023. At present, the metropolitan statistical areas in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport-Bossier, and Houma-Thibodaux are experiencing the highest job growth rates.

What is Louisiana like?

One of the best aspects of Louisiana is the vibrant culture and the warm and friendly people. Apart from a large Creole and Cajun population, the state culture is also influenced by a range of other cultures like African, Spanish, French, and Native American. 

Louisiana also boasts of being one of the best culinary destinations in the USA. It has a whole range of flavors that can meet the demands of all types of palates. In fact, various communities have preserved their food traditions through the centuries and it’s a part of the cultural identity. Some of the popular dishes include flavors from Creole and Cajun cooking, seafood, Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Po’boy.

Beyond that, Louisiana is also a state of rhythm. The music scene consists of Cajun and zydeco music, along with jazz, blues, swamp pop, and more. The state has also produced some of the best musicians like Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, and Mahalia Jackson. From the streets to the restaurants and inside a concert hall, you will find music almost everywhere in Louisiana.

The state is also a popular destination for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating, and canoeing. There are multiple state and national parks that are a favorite destination for outdoor lovers. Beyond that, there is a wide range of year-round festivals that celebrate food, agriculture, music, and crafts.

Obviously, the iconic annual Mardi Gras celebration on the streets of New Orleans is the most popular cultural phenomenon in Louisiana. The roots of the festival can be traced back to European carnivals of the 17th and 18th centuries. Mardi Gras begins on 6th January and it consists of weeks of festivities including lively parades and street parties.

On the other hand, Louisiana has been consistently recording the highest murder rate in the country. In 2019 the number of violent crimes in the state was 549.3 per every 100,000 residents. This was much higher than the nationwide rate of 366.7.

The high crime rate can be attributed to many factors. These include a high rate of poverty, which is the highest in the US. The other factors include the relatively low quality of education in the state and a higher incarceration rate.

The high crime rate can be attributed to many factors. These include a high rate of poverty, which is the highest in the US. The other factors include the relatively low quality of education in the state and a higher incarceration rate.

Special Laws in Louisiana

When you are relocating to Louisiana you need to know some of the unique laws that exist in the state. Here’s a look at a few weird ones.

• Louisiana doesn’t allow gargling in public.
• No reptiles are allowed within 200 yards of a Mardi Gras parade
• Any unauthorized ordering of a good or service to a person who does not want it is illegal
• Knowingly creating or attempting to create any human-animal hybrid is prohibited by law.
• Passing out drunk in any public spot is illegal.
• Consuming human or animal blood or waste during any ritual is illegal.
• Theft of timber is a punishable offense.

Final Thoughts

If you are moving from Kansas, Michigan, or California to Louisiana, it may seem like a whole new country. To make the whole process smooth you need the best movers to help you. When it comes to picking professional moving services to make your relocation hassle-free, the all-in-one platform from Agoyu is the best support you can get.

To compare mover prices and customer service for finding the best options for moving to Louisiana, try the free moving app today!