Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Shreveport, LA
Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Shreveport, LA is a 1958 mi cross-country relocation — about 34h 38m 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.
1958 mi · 34h 38m by car · LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 21.4% below Santa Rosa — a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (107.784 → 84.766, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 21.4% below Santa Rosa — $718,726 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 7.6°F warmer on the annual average (59.0°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 21.4% below Santa Rosa ($97,410 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
- 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 Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 1958 mi and the route typically takes 34h 38m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 1958 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (7.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 31.5 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 50.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 81.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 21.4% lower than Santa Rosa (84.766 vs 107.784, 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 Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Shreveport, LA.