Moving from Knoxville, TN to Shreveport, LA
It is 710 mi between Knoxville and Shreveport β roughly 13h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
710 mi Β· 13h 3m by car Β· TN β GA β AL β MS β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β AL β MS β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 59, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Knoxville at 92.569.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $369,216 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 8.7Β°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA normals.
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.43 |
Households in Shreveport earn about 8.4% less at the median β 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 Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 far is Shreveport, LA from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 710 mi and the route typically takes 13h 3m via I 20 and I 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 63.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 8.4% lower than Knoxville (84.766 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 710 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 5.0% 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 Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Shreveport, LA.