Moving from Houston, TX to Shreveport, LA
Relocating between Houston, TX and Shreveport, LA is a 235 mi drive — 4h 34m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
235 mi · 4h 34m by car · TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, I-69, FM 942 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.1% moving from Houston to Shreveport — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $264,336 in Houston to $135,092 in Shreveport, a 14.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.6°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.1% — $62,894 → $48,465 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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.
- 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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 235 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 Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $264,336 in Houston — a 48.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $62,894 in Houston — a 22.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 70.6°F in Houston (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 54.1 in.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 14.1% lower than Houston (84.766 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via US 59 and I-69. The trip crosses 2 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Shreveport, LA.