Moving from San Diego, CA to Shreveport, LA
Cross-country relocations like San Diego, CA β Shreveport, LA cover 1540 mi and about 26h 23m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1540 mi Β· 26h 23m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 8 |
| Major cities en route | Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 24.2% below San Diego β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (111.887 β 84.766, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 24.2% below San Diego β $1,001,265 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperatures in San Diego (64.1Β°F) and Shreveport (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 24.2% between San Diego 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 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 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
- 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 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 does household income compare in San Diego vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 53.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 1540 mi and the route typically takes 26h 23m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1540 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 86.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 24.2% lower than San Diego (84.766 vs 111.887, 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 San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Shreveport, LA.