Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Shreveport, LA
A move from Cedar Rapids, IA to Shreveport, LA covers 830 mi and around 15h 36m 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.
830 mi Β· 15h 36m by car Β· LA β AR β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β AR β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 61, US 67, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Cedar Rapids (88.963) and Shreveport (84.766) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 4.7% below Cedar Rapids on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 51.4" |
Major climate step-up: 18.3Β°F warmer annual average in Shreveport vs Cedar Rapids.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 4.7% below Cedar Rapids ($67,859 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 Iowa 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 33.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 4.7% lower than Cedar Rapids (84.766 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 830 mi and the route typically takes 15h 36m via US 61 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 830 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 28.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Shreveport, LA.