So, you’re curious about living in Louisiana? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Louisiana.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Louisiana matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Louisiana is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Louisiana
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Louisiana is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Louisiana:
- Louisiana has some excellent cuisine and rich culture.
- The cost of living is lower than average, which means more money for savings.
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Louisiana:
- Hurricane season lasts from July to November so be prepared with a plan just in case.
- Some people might find that it’s too hot here during summer months (over 90 degrees and muggy).
Read More: Is Louisiana a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Louisiana
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Louisiana? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Louisiana!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Louisiana.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Louisiana:
- Baton Rouge
- New Orleans
- Prairieville
- Shreveport
- Youngsville
Read More: Best Places to Live in Louisiana
Checklist for Moving to Louisiana
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Louisiana. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Louisiana.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Louisiana:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Louisiana driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Louisiana
- Getting Louisiana car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Louisiana and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Louisiana.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Louisiana and your previous home state.
Visit your Louisiana Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Louisiana Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Louisiana.
Things to Know About Living in Louisiana
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Louisiana, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Louisiana
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Louisiana ranks 16th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 93.2, meaning it’s a relatively cheaper place to live.
Here is how Louisiana scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 95.6
- Housing: 86.3
- Utilities: 86.7
- Transportation: 94.9
- Health: 98
- Miscellaneous: 98.4
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Louisiana
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Louisiana from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Louisiana’s state sales tax rate is lower than the national average at 4.45%, with an average local rate of 5.07% (the highest local sales tax rate is 7%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 9.52%.
Check with the Louisiana tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Louisiana
If you own or plan to own real estate in Louisiana, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Louisiana ranks 4th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 0.55%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Louisiana tax office for the most current tax rates.
Louisiana’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Louisiana is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Louisiana ranks 25th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Manufacturing
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional and business services
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Retail trade
- Construction
- Wholesale trade
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Finance and insurance
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
The top employer in Louisiana is Walmart.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Louisiana
Our Louisiana moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Louisiana is the French Quarter.
Facts about Louisiana
Louisiana is the 18th state of the United States that lies in the southern region. To its north is Arkansas, to its south is the Gulf of Mexico, to its east is Mississippi, and to its west is Texas.
What is the capital of Louisiana?
The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge is located in East Baton Rouge Parish with a population of 225,374.
What is the population of Louisiana?
The population of Louisiana based on 2020 US Census data is 4,657,757.
What is the largest city in Louisiana?
The largest city in Louisiana is New Orleans.
New Orleans has a population of 399,187, and it is located in Orleans parish.
What is the size of Louisiana?
Louisiana is 52,378, making it the 31st largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Louisiana?
The state motto of Louisiana is: Union, justice, and confidence
What is the state bird of Louisiana?
The state bird of Louisiana is the Brown pelican.
What is the state flower of Louisiana?
The state flower of Louisiana is the Magnolia.
What is the state tree of Louisiana?
The state tree of Louisiana is the Bald Cypress.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Louisiana?
The minimum wage in Louisiana is $7.25 per hour.
What is the median income in Louisiana?
The median annual household salary in Louisiana is $47,905.