Moving from Mesa, AZ to Shreveport, LA
A move from Mesa, AZ to Shreveport, LA covers 1243 mi and around 21h 16m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1243 mi Β· 21h 16m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mesa | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 18.0% below Mesa β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 18.0% under Mesa at $435,134 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Mesa -1.8%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mesa | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.8" | 51.4" |
Shreveport is 5.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.3Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E MESA, AZ US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mesa | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $78,779 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 18.0% below Mesa ($78,779 vs $48,465, 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 Arizona 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $48,600 in the Mesa MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Mesa to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1243 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $435,134 in Mesa β a 69.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 18.0% lower than Mesa (84.766 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance is 1243 mi and the route typically takes 21h 16m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Mesa vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $78,779 in Mesa β a 38.5% 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 Mesa.
City profiles: Mesa, AZ Β· Shreveport, LA.