Moving from Shreveport, LA to Albuquerque, NM
The drive from Shreveport, LA to Albuquerque, NM runs 829 mi β about 14h 34m 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.
829 mi Β· 14h 34m by car Β· NM β TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Denton, Lewisville, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.7% pricier overall in Albuquerque than Shreveport on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Albuquerque typical home at $344,457 is 12.7% above Shreveport at $135,092 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Shreveport | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | β |
Climate cools by 9.9Β°F on the annual average β 66.6Β°F β 56.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.7% between Shreveport and Albuquerque (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Albuquerque MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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 Albuquerque average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 New Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $135,092 in Shreveport β a 155.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $48,465 in Shreveport β a 35.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 829 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 12.7% higher than Shreveport (95.546 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 829 mi and the route typically takes 14h 34m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA Β· Albuquerque, NM.