Moving from Fort Wayne, IN to Shreveport, LA
A move from Fort Wayne, IN to Shreveport, LA covers 923 mi and around 16h 36m of driving through 5 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.
923 mi · 16h 36m by car · IN → IL → MO → AR → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | IN → IL → MO → AR → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 70, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Wayne | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.572 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.247 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.277 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 8.4% below Fort Wayne — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 8.4% under Fort Wayne at $242,385 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Wayne +2.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Wayne | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.6" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 51.4" |
NOAA normals show Shreveport running 15.7°F above Fort Wayne on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Wayne | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $60,293 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 8.4% below Fort Wayne ($60,293 → $48,465, 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 Indiana 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.
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 (15.7°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
Is Shreveport more expensive than Fort Wayne?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 8.4% lower than Fort Wayne (84.766 vs 92.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Wayne vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $60,293 in Fort Wayne — a 19.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Fort Wayne, IN?
The driving distance is 923 mi and the route typically takes 16h 36m via I 57 and I 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Wayne 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 923 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Wayne and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 50.9°F in Fort Wayne (15.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 33.6 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 39.5 in.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Fort Wayne?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 221,290 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Fort Wayne?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $242,385 in Fort Wayne — a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Wayne.
City profiles: Fort Wayne, IN · Shreveport, LA.