Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Shreveport, LA
A 1564 mi cross-country move between Carlsbad and Shreveport is 26h 51m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1564 mi Β· 26h 51m by car Β· LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 8 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Richardson, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport sits 24.2% cheaper than Carlsbad on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,370,649 in Carlsbad to $135,092 in Shreveport, a 24.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 24.2% less than Carlsbad at the median β $139,326 β $48,465 on ACS 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 California 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 94Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 24.2% lower than Carlsbad (84.766 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 90.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 65.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 1564 mi and the route typically takes 26h 51m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Shreveport, LA.