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Louisiana
Your Louisiana Moving Company Since 2016
Louisiana is a Gulf logistics state, and most of its moves run outbound along the I-10 spine. The Port of South Louisiana moves more tonnage than any other US port, roughly 248 million tons a year, and the standout relocation corridor links two energy capitals: New Orleans to Houston, about 349 miles west on I-10. Texas is both the top destination and the top origin state in recent Census flows. Star Van Lines is a USDOT-licensed interstate carrier (USDOT #4176875, MC #1607491) that handles local and interstate moves across all of Louisiana, and we've worked the I-10 corridor from New Orleans through Baton Rouge and Lafayette since 2016.
Our Louisiana moving services cover packing, loading, transport, delivery, and short-term storage. Because New Orleans sits at or below sea level with narrow historic streets, a French Quarter or Garden District move often needs a shuttle vehicle and long carries where a 53-foot trailer simply can't fit. Add year-round humidity and a June-to-November hurricane season, and timing matters as much as muscle. We handle both the local and long-distance legs with the same coordinator and the same written estimate from pickup through delivery.
Not sure what a Louisiana move costs? Call (855) 822-2722 or use our online quote calculator. You'll get an itemized estimate that breaks down every line item, so there are no surprises on moving day. We're rated 4.0 on Trustpilot, 4.5 on Google, and 4.75 on Facebook across 240+ reviews.
Moving services in Louisiana
Star Van Lines provides local, long-distance, and interstate moving services across Louisiana. We handle packing, loading, transport, and delivery for residential and commercial moves. Because so much of the state sits along the I-10 corridor and the Gulf, route planning has to account for below-sea-level access, river-corridor congestion, and humidity. Every move includes a single coordinator, trained crew, and written estimate.
Local moving in Louisiana
Local moves in Louisiana run $142-$199 per hour for a two-person crew with a truck; three movers run $213-$247. High-volume local lanes include New Orleans to Metairie to Kenner, the Baton Rouge commuter belt out to Gonzales and Prairieville, moves within Lafayette and Acadiana, and Shreveport to Bossier City in the northwest. Local jobs are billed by crew hours plus truck. But the New Orleans metro carries surcharge risk for stair carries and narrow historic-district access, where a full-size truck often can't reach the door.
Long-distance moving from Louisiana
Top long-distance lanes out of Louisiana run to the leading domestic-migration destinations. New Orleans and Baton Rouge to Houston and the wider Texas energy belt cover roughly 330 to 350 miles on I-10, the standout energy-corridor route. Louisiana to Florida runs roughly 500 to 700 miles, and Louisiana to Atlanta is about 470 miles on I-10, I-12, and I-59. Because Texas, Florida, and Georgia are the three largest out-migration destinations in recent Census flows, much of our long-distance work runs those corridors outbound.
Packing and storage
We offer full-service packing, partial packing, and self-pack options. Full-service means our crew brings every material and packs each room; partial lets you pick the rooms; self-pack keeps the cost lowest. We have 43 warehouse locations nationwide for short-term and long-term storage. Louisiana storage carries a humidity-and-water risk found in few other states: New Orleans averages 63.35 inches of rain a year and Baton Rouge 61.94, morning relative humidity often runs 85 to 95 percent, and much of the metro sits at or below sea level. Because of that, climate-controlled, elevated interior storage with moisture barriers is advisable year-round, and especially during the June-to-November hurricane season when power loss can disable cooling.
Auto transport and specialty items
We ship vehicles by open or enclosed carrier. New residents must title and register an out-of-state vehicle with the Louisiana OMV within 30 days, and vehicles in the five-parish Baton Rouge area need an annual emissions test bundled into the state safety inspection, the brake tag, at a combined inspection cost of $18. Vehicles elsewhere in the state need only the periodic safety inspection, valid up to two years. Because coastal humidity and salt air add corrosion risk, enclosed transport is worth considering for a move to the immediate Gulf Coast.
How much does moving in Louisiana cost?
Moving costs in Louisiana depend on whether you're relocating locally or across state lines. Local moves within Louisiana typically run $142-$199 per hour for a two-person crew with truck. Long-distance moves start at $850 for studio apartments and go up to $7,300 for large homes, depending on distance, weight, and access conditions.
Local moving rates
| Crew size | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $142-$199 / hour |
| 3 movers + truck | $213-$247 / hour |
| 4 movers + truck | $284-$348 / hour |
Long-distance rates from Louisiana
| Move size | Estimated price range |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $850 - $1,800 |
| 2-3 Bedrooms | $1,550 - $4,000 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $2,550 - $7,300 |
Popular routes and pricing from Louisiana
| Route | Distance | Avg cost (2-3 BR) |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans to Houston | 349 mi | $1,550 - $1,850 |
| New Orleans to Charlotte | 713 mi | $2,050 - $2,500 |
| New Orleans to Richmond | 991 mi | $2,500 - $3,050 |
| New Orleans to New York | 1,306 mi | $2,800 - $3,400 |
| New Orleans to Los Angeles | 1,892 mi | $3,300 - $4,000 |
Pricing reflects market averages for moves in and from Louisiana as of June 2026. Your final price depends on inventory weight, packing level, access at pickup and delivery, and scheduling flexibility. Call (855) 822-2722 or use our free quote calculator for an exact estimate.
What affects your moving price
- Shipment weight and volume are the biggest factors for any long-distance move from Louisiana.
- Distance drives the base price. New Orleans to Houston is 349 miles; New Orleans to Los Angeles is 1,892.
- Access at both ends matters. Below-sea-level New Orleans streets, narrow historic-district blocks, and shuttle carries where a 53-foot trailer can't reach all add time.
- How much packing you want us to do. Full-service runs more than partial, and self-pack is the lowest option.
- When you move. The June-to-November hurricane season peaks in August and September, while summer humidity sits near 90 percent.
- Add-on services like auto transport, storage, and specialty handling come with their own pricing.
Moving routes from Louisiana
Moving to Louisiana: what you should know
A move to Louisiana involves more than logistics. Everything in the state flows toward the Gulf, and so do most of its moves: the I-10 corridor carries household goods west past Lafayette and Lake Charles toward the Texas energy belt, the same route that links the Port of New Orleans and the river plants to the wider Gulf supply chain. Below is a quick guide covering cost of living, access and logistics, climate and timing, and residency requirements that affect your move.
What it costs to move to Louisiana
Louisiana's cost of living index is 88.2 (US average = 100, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024), below the national price level. Local labor runs $142-$199 per hour for a two-person crew, on the higher side for a low-cost state because dense New Orleans access drives up crew hours. Median home value statewide is $216,500 (Census ACS 2020-2024), with median gross rent at $1,064 and median household income at $60,756, and about 67.4 percent of households own their homes. Louisiana also offers a constitutionally protected homestead exemption that shields the first $7,500 of assessed value, or $75,000 of market value, from most parish property taxes on an owner-occupied primary home.
Access and logistics
Louisiana's road network centers on I-10, the east-west spine through Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, continuing west toward Houston. I-12 bypasses New Orleans to the north from Baton Rouge to Slidell, I-49 runs north-south from Lafayette through Alexandria to Shreveport, I-20 crosses the north through Shreveport and Monroe, and I-55 drops south from Mississippi to I-10 at LaPlace. But two choke points stand out. New Orleans streets sit at or below sea level with French Quarter and Garden District blocks that force shuttle vehicles and long carries, while the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin bridge and the Baton Rouge-to-New Orleans industrial belt create heavy truck congestion that can affect load-out timing.
Climate and timing
Louisiana is hot and humid. New Orleans July highs run about 92 degrees, January lows sit near 46, and the city averages more than 63 inches of rain a year, while measurable snow is essentially nonexistent. The best window to move is late October through April, when daily highs ease and Atlantic hurricane season has passed. Avoid July through September: Baton Rouge and New Orleans average highs of 91 to 92 degrees with morning humidity near 90 percent, and the August-to-early-October stretch is the statistical peak for Gulf hurricanes and evacuation-related road closures. Because hurricane season runs June through November, a summer move needs a real weather contingency.
Residency and regulations
New residents have 30 days to transfer a driver's license to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, and the out-of-state license is surrendered when the Louisiana one is issued. Vehicle registration also runs on a 30-day clock, and the deadline is tied to the date your Louisiana license is issued, so getting the license first starts the registration window. Louisiana requires an annual safety inspection with a windshield brake tag statewide, while emissions testing applies only in five Baton Rouge-area parishes. A 2024 law begins phasing out the traditional inspection sticker in 2027, so confirm the current rule at the time of your move.
What to know before moving to Louisiana
Benefits of moving to Louisiana
0,618,189
Population
$0,756
Median household income
0.2 (US = 100, BEA RPP 2024)
Cost of living index
0.00% (flat)
State income tax
~0.6% (among the highest in the nation)
Combined sales tax
oil, gas, and petrochemicals
Dominant industry
Louisiana is home to about 4.62 million people, and the population edged down about 0.9 percent from 2020 to 2025. Median household income is $60,756, and the cost of living index of 88.2 sits below the national average. The economy runs on oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals, which generate roughly 25 percent of the state's output and about 15 percent of its jobs, while health care is the top employment sector. And Louisiana runs net domestic out-migration, with Texas, Mississippi, and Florida the leading destinations, even as recent international immigration has offset part of that outflow. The state pairs a flat 3 percent income tax with one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the country, near 9.6 percent.
Is Louisiana a good place to live?
Louisiana offers a low cost of living, a flat 3 percent income tax, and a culture of food and music that few states match. The trade-offs are real: one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the nation, serious hurricane and flood exposure, and steady net out-migration to neighboring states. Whether it's a good fit depends on your tolerance for storm risk and how the tax math works for your household.
Tax environment
Louisiana moved to a flat 3.00 percent individual income tax for 2025 under Act 11 of 2024, replacing its old graduated brackets. But the catch is sales tax. The combined state and local rate averages near 9.6 percent, among the highest in the country, built on a 5.00 percent state rate plus local add-ons that vary by parish. But property tax is low, at roughly 0.55 percent of home value, and a homestead exemption shields the first $7,500 of assessed value on a primary home. Louisiana levies no inheritance tax, which it repealed in 2010, and residents can claim a School Expense Deduction of up to $6,000 per dependent.
Housing market
Median home value in Louisiana is $216,500 (Census ACS 2020-2024), and median gross rent is $1,064. About 67.4 percent of households own their homes. And New Orleans and Baton Rouge anchor the largest housing markets, with Lafayette and the Shreveport-Bossier City area rounding out the metros. Because local sales-tax rates and parish millages vary, the all-in cost of settling can shift noticeably depending on which parish you land in.
Job market and economy
Louisiana's economy is anchored by energy. Oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals generate about 25 percent of the state's output and roughly 15 percent of its jobs. Walmart is the largest private-sector employer at about 36,309 in-state, while Ochsner Health is the largest healthcare employer with 30,000 to 36,000 staff and the State of Louisiana employs around 48,000. Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City and Willis-Knighton Health in the Shreveport area anchor the northwest. And health care is the fastest-growing employment sector. The labor force participation rate is 58.8 percent, and 27.0 percent of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Safety and natural risks
Hurricanes define Louisiana's hazard profile. The state faces tropical storms, coastal storm surge, riverine and flash flooding, tornadoes, and land subsidence that amplifies flood and surge risk, and it has taken repeated major-hurricane hits including Katrina, Rita, Laura, and Ida. Much of the New Orleans metro sits at or below sea level, which raises the stakes on flood protection. But none of it should scare you off, though a Louisiana move rewards a careful look at flood zones, elevation, and insurance before you settle.
Who thrives in Louisiana?
Gulf energy and offshore oilfield workers
Louisiana's economy is anchored by oil, gas, petrochemicals, and a dense offshore-services cluster, with names like Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Oceaneering, and Superior Energy employing thousands across the south. These workers follow rig and project cycles, and the standout move is New Orleans or Lafayette to Houston, the self-styled Energy Capital of the World, where the same skills transfer and Texas charges no state income tax.
River-corridor petrochemical and LNG project hires
The Mississippi River industrial corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, plus the LNG build-out near Lake Charles and Plaquemines, drove record 2025 capital investment of more than $60 billion announced, including Woodside's Lake Charles LNG and Venture Global's Plaquemines expansion. Engineers, plant operators, and industrial contractors relocate into Ascension, East Baton Rouge, and Calcasieu parishes as these projects ramp, often arriving from out of state for multi-year assignments.
Healthcare and university staff in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette
Health care is Louisiana's fastest-growing sector, and Ochsner Health is the state's largest healthcare employer, with roughly 9,000-plus staff in the New Orleans area alone and a large Lafayette presence. Combined with LSU in Baton Rouge and Tulane and LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, these institutions recruit clinicians, researchers, and faculty nationally, generating steady inbound household moves into the three main metros.
Tax-driven leavers heading to no-income-tax Texas and Florida
Louisiana has run negative net domestic migration in recent Census estimates, and the largest outbound streams head to Texas, Florida, and Georgia. A frequent driver is taxes: Louisiana's combined state-and-local sales tax averages roughly 9.6 percent, among the nation's highest, while Texas and Florida levy no state income tax at all. The total population still ticked up recently on international immigration, so the out-migration story is a domestic one.
Hurricane-displaced and storm-rebuilding households
As one of the most hurricane-exposed states, Louisiana sees repeated storm-driven moves: families relocating to higher ground after surge or flood damage, residents staging belongings inland before the June-to-November season, and households permanently leaving low-lying coastal parishes. These moves often pair an interstate relocation with climate-controlled storage while a damaged home is rebuilt or sold.
First week after moving to Louisiana: what to do
After your move to Louisiana, several tasks have state deadlines. New residents have 30 days to transfer a driver's license and 30 days to register a vehicle, and the registration clock starts the day your license is issued. Here is a prioritized checklist.
- Update your driver's license.
Louisiana gives new residents 30 days to transfer a license to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, and your out-of-state license is surrendered when the Louisiana one is issued. Bring proof of Louisiana residency. (expresslane.la.gov)
- Register your vehicle.
You have 30 days to title and register, with the deadline tied to the date your license is issued. Louisiana requires an annual safety inspection (the brake tag) statewide, and an emissions test applies in five Baton Rouge-area parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge.
- Transfer your auto insurance.
Contact your insurer to re-rate your policy for Louisiana. Minimum liability requirements may differ from your previous state.
- Register to vote.
Louisiana lets you register online through GeauxVote at least 20 days before an election, or by mail and in person at least 30 days before. The elections portal is sos.la.gov/electionsandvoting.
- Update homeowner's or renter's insurance.
Louisiana's hurricane, flood, and storm-surge exposure may change your coverage needs. Standard policies don't cover flood damage, and much of the New Orleans metro sits at or below sea level, so ask about a separate flood policy.
- Forward your mail.
USPS Change of Address is free online at usps.com, and mail forwarding starts within 7-10 business days.
- Transfer medical records.
Contact your current providers before the move and find a new primary care physician. Ochsner Health anchors a wide provider network across the southern metros.
- Update school records.
If you have children, request transcripts from your previous district and contact the new one for enrollment requirements and deadlines. Zachary Community and Ascension Parish run two of the state's top-rated districts, so research the specific parish district before choosing a neighborhood.
Louisiana at a glance: schools, jobs, and things to do
Schools and universities
Louisiana's top-rated public school districts are Zachary Community Public Schools (number 1 on Niche's 2026 list), Lincoln Parish Public Schools in Ruston (number 2), and Ascension Parish Public Schools (number 3). The state's universities anchor several cities. Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is the flagship public land, sea, and space-grant doctoral university, Tulane University in New Orleans is a leading private research school, and Louisiana Tech University in Ruston is a public research university in the north. Together they pull faculty, researchers, and student families into Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Ruston.
Major employers
Energy, health care, and government anchor Louisiana employment. Walmart is the largest private-sector employer in the state at about 36,309, Ochsner Health is the largest healthcare employer with 30,000 to 36,000 staff, and the State of Louisiana employs around 48,000. Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City is a major defense employer at roughly 14,500, and Willis-Knighton Health employs more than 7,300 in the Shreveport-Bossier area. By industry, oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals lead the economy, while health care and social assistance is the fastest-growing employment sector.
Attractions and recreation
Louisiana's culture is the draw. The French Quarter, New Orleans's oldest neighborhood, is famous for Jackson Square, historic architecture, and music, and Mardi Gras brings the world-famous carnival to the city each year. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is America's official museum of the war and a top-rated attraction. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve protects six sites across southern Louisiana, including the 23,000-acre Barataria Preserve wetlands near Marrero. And the Garden District, with its antebellum mansions and oak-lined streets, is both a landmark and a leafy neighborhood people move to live in.
FAQ
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(855) 822-2722 or email
Local moving in Louisiana typically costs $142-$199 per hour for a two-person crew with truck. A standard three-bedroom home takes 4-6 hours, putting the total between $650 and $3,500. Add-ons like packing, disassembly, and long carries increase the total. Call (855) 822-2722 for an itemized estimate.
Long-distance moves from Louisiana start at $850 for studio apartments and go up to $7,300 for four-plus-bedroom homes. The final price depends on shipment weight, distance, and access at both locations. Star Van Lines provides binding estimates so your price won't change after booking.
Search our USDOT number 4176875 on the FMCSA SAFER website (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov). This federal database confirms our operating authority, MC number 1607491, insurance status, and safety record. Any legitimate interstate mover should be able to provide a verifiable USDOT number.
Common surcharges include stair fees in New Orleans walk-ups, long-carry charges for distances over 75 feet from truck to door, and shuttle fees when a full-size truck can't reach a narrow historic-district street. We disclose all potential charges in your written estimate before you book.
Federal law requires interstate movers to offer two levels: Released Value Protection (free, covers $0.60 per pound per item) and Full Value Protection (paid, covers repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current value). Star Van Lines is fully insured under USDOT #4176875 and can explain both options when you request a quote.
New residents have 30 days to transfer a driver's license to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, and the out-of-state license is surrendered when the Louisiana one is issued. Vehicle registration also runs on a 30-day clock, but the deadline is tied to the date your Louisiana license is issued, so getting the license first starts the registration window. Plan to handle the license early.
Yes to the brake tag. Louisiana requires an annual safety inspection with a windshield sticker, the brake tag, statewide. An emissions test is required only in five Baton Rouge-area parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge, where it is bundled into the inspection at a combined cost of $18. Vehicles elsewhere need only the safety inspection, which can be valid up to two years.
Yes. Louisiana's cost of living index is 88.2 (US average = 100, BEA RPP 2024), below the national level, and the median home value is $216,500 with median gross rent of $1,064. New Orleans and Baton Rouge anchor the largest housing markets, with Lafayette and Shreveport-Bossier City rounding out the metros. Because parish sales-tax rates and millages vary, your all-in cost can shift by where you land.
Late October through April is the best window, when daily highs ease below 90 degrees and Atlantic hurricane season has passed. Avoid July through September, when New Orleans and Baton Rouge run highs of 91 to 92 degrees with morning humidity near 90 percent. The August-to-early-October stretch is the statistical peak for Gulf hurricanes and evacuation-related road closures, so a summer move needs a weather contingency built into the schedule.
The New Orleans-to-Houston move runs about 349 miles west on I-10, the standout energy-corridor route between two energy capitals. It is also Louisiana's busiest long-distance lane in our search data and across recent Census migration flows, since Texas is the top destination state. Pricing follows distance, weight, and access, and we can bundle auto transport with the household shipment.
Louisiana moved to a flat 3.00 percent individual income tax for 2025 under Act 11 of 2024, which is low by national standards. The offset is sales tax: the combined state and local average is near 9.6 percent, among the highest in the country, on a 5.00 percent state rate plus local add-ons. Property tax is low, around 0.55 percent of home value, with a homestead exemption on a primary residence.
Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes rather than counties, and it follows a civil-law legal tradition that shapes property rules, so paperwork and local terms can look different from other states. On the ground, the bigger factor is access: much of New Orleans sits at or below sea level, and narrow French Quarter and Garden District streets often require a shuttle vehicle because a full-size trailer can't reach the door. Parish sales-tax rates and millages also vary, so confirm the local rate where you settle.
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USDOT #4176875 | MC #1607491 | Licensed & Insured