Moving from Lincoln, NE to Shreveport, LA
It is 743 mi between Lincoln and Shreveport — roughly 14h 8m 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.
743 mi · 14h 8m by car · NE → IA → MO → AR → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → AR → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 71, I 49, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.4% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Lincoln at 91.581.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $291,062 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 14.3°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA normals.
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 7.4% less than Lincoln at the median — $69,991 → $48,465 on 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 Nebraska 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 (14.3°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
How far is Shreveport, LA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 743 mi and the route typically takes 14h 8m via US 71 and I 49. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (14.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 29.3 in.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 30.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln 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 743 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 7.4% lower than Lincoln (84.766 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 53.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Shreveport, LA.