Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Shreveport, LA runs 811 mi — about 15h 10m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
811 mi · 15h 10m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 17, FL 228, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 14.8% below Jacksonville — 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 14.8% under Jacksonville at $282,895 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 71.4°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: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.8% between Jacksonville and Shreveport (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 Florida 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
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 811 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (4.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 47.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 52.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 14.8% lower than Jacksonville (84.766 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 27.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 811 mi and the route typically takes 15h 10m via US 17 and FL 228. The trip crosses 4 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 Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Shreveport, LA.