Moving from Shreveport, LA to Allen, TX
It is a 199 mi drive, roughly 3h 32m, between Shreveport, LA and Allen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
199 mi Β· 3h 32m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Dallas, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Allen is 21.6% above Shreveport β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Shreveport | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.97 |
Allen households earn about 21.6% more than Shreveport at the median β $48,465 β $129,130 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Allen, TX from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 199 mi and the route typically takes 3h 32m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $48,465 in Shreveport β a 166.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $135,092 in Shreveport β a 265.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Allen more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 21.6% higher than Shreveport (103.09 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 199 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 Allen compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA Β· Allen, TX.