Moving from Madison, WI to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Madison, WI to Shreveport, LA runs 923 mi β about 16h 60m 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.
923 mi Β· 16h 60m by car Β· WI β IL β MO β AR β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β MO β AR β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 67, I 55, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 97.287 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 12.9% below Madison on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 12.9% below Madison on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 51.4" |
Major climate step-up: 19.4Β°F warmer annual average in Shreveport vs Madison.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 12.9% between Madison 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Madison to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% 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 β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $76,983 in Madison β a 37.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 12.9% lower than Madison (84.766 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 923 mi and the route typically takes 16h 60m via US 67 and I 55. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $423,767 in Madison β a 68.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Shreveport, LA.