Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Rio Rancho, NM to Shreveport, LA runs 843 mi β about 15h 1m 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.
843 mi Β· 15h 1m by car Β· LA β TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 40, 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
| Rio Rancho | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 95.546 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 11.3% below Rio Rancho on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 11.3% below Rio Rancho on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 51.4" |
Climate warms by 8.6Β°F on the annual average β 58.0Β°F β 66.6Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 39 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.3% between Rio Rancho 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 New Mexico 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
- 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 far is Shreveport, LA from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 843 mi and the route typically takes 15h 1m via US 287 and I 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 11.3% lower than Rio Rancho (84.766 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 62.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 43.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 843 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rio Rancho.
City profiles: Rio Rancho, NM Β· Shreveport, LA.