($1,224) Cost of Moving From California to Louisiana
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Louisiana ranges from $1,204 to $7,414 and takes five–16 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Louisiana to California guide.
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The best California to Louisiana full-service movers
Moving from California to Louisiana? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.
To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.
Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving California for your Louisiana relocation:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
The best California to Louisiana moving container companies
Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in California and drop it off at your new home in Louisiana.
Check out these highly rated moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
The best California to Louisiana moving truck rentals
Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from California to Louisiana, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.
We like these rental moving trucks:
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
The best California to Louisiana labor-only movers
If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.
Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from California to Louisiana:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to LA move
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 280 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How much does it cost to move from California to Louisiana?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Louisiana for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,224 - $5,116 | $1,214 - $2,947 | $1,100 - $2,165 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,227 - $7,414 | $2,121 - $4,317 | $1,204 - $2,550 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,016 - $11,112 | $2,707 - $5,477 | $1,612 - $3,188 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,957 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Cost to hire movers from California to Louisiana
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Louisiana will cost between $1,224 and $5,116. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to LA will range from $3,227 to $7,414, and a large move from California to Louisiana will cost from $6,016 to $11,112.
Cost of moving containers from California to Louisiana
Moving containers from California to Louisiana will cost you $1,214 to $2,947 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,121 to $4,317. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,707 to $5,477. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Louisiana
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,100 to $2,165.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,204 to $2,550,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Louisiana costs from
$1,612 to $3,188.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to LA
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Louisiana will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from CA to LA
If you’re moving to Louisiana from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Louisiana
| California | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $996 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $201,519 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $57,852 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 92 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 4.25% |
- Rent is about 46% less expensive in Louisiana than in California.
- Home prices are about 74% lower in Louisiana than in California.
- The average income is about 37% lower in Louisiana than in California.
- Cost of living is 31% lower in Louisiana than in California.
- Louisiana has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 24%.
- Sales taxes are 19% lower in Louisiana than in California.
- Income taxes are 68% lower in Louisiana than in California.
How life is different in Louisiana vs. California
| Louisiana | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,573,749 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 60.2-38.2 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 92ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 39ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 60" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 7" |
| Crime index | 33.77 | 28.43 |
- The population of Louisiana is approximately 88% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Louisiana voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Louisiana is 92ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Louisiana reaches the temperature of 39ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 60 inches of annual rainfall in Louisiana versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Louisiana, it snows about 0 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
- Louisiana has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 33.77 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Louisiana
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Louisiana compared to California.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Low cost of living |
| Pleasant weather | Delicious regional food |
| Abundant recreational options | Diverse culture |
| High quality of life | Fun outdoor activities |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Cajun culture |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Louisiana
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Louisiana.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Louisiana |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Extreme weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Pesky wildlife and insects |
| Natural disasters | Limited economic opportunities |
| Terrible traffic | High crime rate |
| Strange laws | Hot humidity |
Other things to consider for your California to Louisiana move
- Weather: Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Louisiana moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Louisiana does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Louisiana. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for free coverage at 60 cents per pound from movers. For full-value protection, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Louisiana
While you’re in Louisiana, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: French Quarter
- 2: Mardi Gras World
- 3: Vermillionville Historic Village
- 4: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
- 5: Honey Island Swamp Tour
- 6: Louisiana's Old State Capitol
- 7: R. W. Norton Art Gallery
- 8: USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial
- 9: Laura Plantation: Louisiana’s Creole Heritage Site
- 10: Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge
- 11: National WWII Museum
- 12: Melrose Plantation
- 13: Sci-Port Discovery Center
- 14: Rosedown Plantation and Gardens
- 15: St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church
- 16: Preservation Hall
- 17: Mike the Tiger’s Habitat
- 18: Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino
- 19: Jungle Gardens
- 20: Audubon Zoo
- 21: LARC's Acadian Village
- 22: Frenchmen Street
- 23: Oak Alley Plantation
- 24: Musical Legends Park
- 25: Zoosiana
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Louisiana?
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from California to Louisiana?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Louisiana separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Louisiana?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Louisiana are the amazing upsides of living in Louisiana such as low cost of living and delicious regional food.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Louisiana?
It is generally cheaper to live in Louisiana than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Louisiana, with average rent about 46% less and home prices 73.9% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Louisiana, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Louisiana?
You should make approximately $55,743 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Louisiana. The cost of living in Louisiana is approximately $1,480 per month for an individual and $4,348 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Louisiana you live For example, larger cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
