Moving from Shreveport, LA to Mesquite, TX
Moving from Shreveport, LA to Mesquite, TX covers 171 mi and about 3h 2m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
171 mi Β· 3h 2m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, SPUR 557 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Garland, Richardson, Plano, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Mesquite | 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 |
You are looking at a 21.6% pricier overall price level β 84.766 β 103.09 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Mesquite typical home at $262,121 is 21.6% above Shreveport at $135,092 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Shreveport | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Mesquite is 21.6% above Shreveport ($48,465 vs $71,843, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite 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 Mesquite average 96Β°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 does the job market in Mesquite compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite 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.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $48,465 in Shreveport β a 48.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $135,092 in Shreveport β a 94.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 171 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 21.6% higher than Shreveport (103.09 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Mesquite, TX from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 171 mi and the route typically takes 3h 2m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 2 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· Mesquite, TX.