Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Shreveport, LA
A move from Salt Lake City, UT to Shreveport, LA covers 1478 mi and around 26h 21m of driving through 6 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.
1478 mi · 26h 21m by car · UT → WY → CO → OK → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → CO → OK → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 80, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.868 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 16.0% below Salt Lake City on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 16.0% below Salt Lake City on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 10.8°F warmer on the annual average (55.8°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 16.0% below Salt Lake City ($74,925 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 Utah 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
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 76.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1478 mi and the route typically takes 26h 21m via US 287 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 35.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (10.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 17.7 in.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 16.0% lower than Salt Lake City (84.766 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 1478 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Shreveport, LA.