Moving from Riverside, CA to Shreveport, LA
Moving from Riverside, CA to Shreveport, LA is a 1570 mi cross-country relocation — about 26h 54m of driving through 5 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1570 mi · 26h 54m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Shreveport is 20.4% lower than Riverside — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 20.4% below Riverside on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 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: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 20.4% below Riverside ($88,575 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 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
Is Shreveport more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 20.4% lower than Riverside (84.766 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Riverside 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 1570 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 1570 mi and the route typically takes 26h 54m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 79.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 45.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 10.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Shreveport, LA.