Moving from Shreveport, LA to Fort Wayne, IN
A move from Shreveport, LA to Fort Wayne, IN covers 923 mi and around 16h 36m of driving through 5 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.
923 mi · 16h 36m by car · IN → IL → MO → AR → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | IN → IL → MO → AR → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 70, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Fort Wayne | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 92.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 86.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 72.277 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 84.766 in Shreveport to 92.572 in Fort Wayne, a 9.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fort Wayne: 9.2% above Shreveport on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Fort Wayne +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 33.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 39.5" |
Major climate step-down: 15.7°F cooler annual average in Fort Wayne vs Shreveport.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.6 in of snowfall annually at Fort Wayne.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, FT WAYNE INTL AP, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 266,235 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $60,293 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Fort Wayne is 9.2% above Shreveport ($48,465 vs $60,293, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Wayne MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 26,110 | $44,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 25,400 | $40,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,710 | $37,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,890 | $35,030 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,190 | $28,570 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Fort Wayne averages 33.6 in annually vs 0.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Indiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fort Wayne compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,600 in the Fort Wayne MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 221,290 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 Fort Wayne?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,293 in Fort Wayne vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 24.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fort Wayne more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Wayne is 9.2% higher than Shreveport (92.572 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Fort Wayne?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Fort Wayne vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (15.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 33.6 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 51.4 in.
How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 923 mi and the route typically takes 16h 36m via I 57 and I 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Fort Wayne?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 923 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fort Wayne compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,385 in Fort Wayne vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 79.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA · Fort Wayne, IN.