Moving from Arvada, CO to Shreveport, LA
A move from Arvada, CO to Shreveport, LA covers 974 mi and around 17h 53m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
974 mi · 17h 53m by car · LA → TX → OK → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX → OK → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 20, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Dallas, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 19.9% below Arvada on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 19.9% below Arvada on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 51.4" |
Major climate step-up: 16.3°F warmer annual average in Shreveport vs Arvada.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 19.9% below Arvada ($113,396 vs $48,465, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Shreveport MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,700 | $36,480 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,310 | $29,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 16,190 | $22,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,220 | $34,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,190 | $69,280 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Shreveport average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Shreveport averages 51.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Shreveport, LA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 974 mi and the route typically takes 17h 53m via US 287 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 57.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 50.3°F in Arvada (16.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 17.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 974 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 78.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 19.9% lower than Arvada (84.766 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Shreveport, LA.