Moving from Shreveport, LA to Odessa, TX
A move from Shreveport, LA to Odessa, TX covers 533 mi and around 9h 13m of driving through 2 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.
533 mi · 9h 13m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, LOOP 338 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Richardson, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.8% pricier overall in Odessa than Shreveport on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Odessa typical home at $251,239 is 10.8% above Shreveport at $135,092 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 64.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Odessa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 10.8% above Shreveport ($48,465 vs $73,030, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 — 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Odessa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Odessa, TX from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 533 mi and the route typically takes 9h 13m via I 20 and LOOP 338. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Odessa more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 10.8% higher than Shreveport (93.896 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 533 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 51.4 in.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 50.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 86.0% 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 · Odessa, TX.