Moving from Shreveport, LA to San Mateo, CA
Cross-country relocations like Shreveport, LA β San Mateo, CA cover 1898 mi and about 33h 32m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1898 mi Β· 33h 32m by car Β· LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in San Mateo runs 36.4% higher than Shreveport β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (84.766 β 115.613, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Mateo is 36.4% above Shreveport β $135,092 vs $1,686,905 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Shreveport | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 19.6" |
Climate cools by 7.9Β°F on the annual average β 66.6Β°F β 58.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 36.4% between Shreveport and San Mateo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $135,092 in Shreveport β a 1148.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $48,465 in Shreveport β a 215.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1898 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 1898 mi and the route typically takes 33h 32m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 36.4% higher than Shreveport (115.613 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA Β· San Mateo, CA.