Moving from Montgomery, AL to Shreveport, LA
Relocating between Montgomery, AL and Shreveport, LA is a 467 mi drive β 8h 54m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
467 mi Β· 8h 54m by car Β· AL β MS β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 80, I 20, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.5% moving from Montgomery to Shreveport β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Shreveport run about 5.5% cheaper β ZHVI $151,228 β $135,092 (2026-03).
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.9Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.43 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.5% lower in Shreveport than Montgomery.
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 Alabama 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.
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 much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 10.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 13.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 467 mi and the route typically takes 8h 54m via US 80 and I 20. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 467 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 5.5% lower than Montgomery (84.766 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Shreveport, LA.