Moving from Palmdale, CA to Shreveport, LA
It is 1582 mi and 27h 42m from Palmdale to Shreveport — a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1582 mi · 27h 42m by car · LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 25.4% cheaper overall price level — 113.566 → 84.766 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
25.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 51.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 25.4% — $81,151 → $48,465 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 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.
- 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 Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1582 mi and the route typically takes 27h 42m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 25.4% lower than Palmdale (84.766 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 1582 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 40.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 73.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (3.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 7.3 in.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 6,185,570 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Shreveport, LA.