Moving from Shreveport, LA to Tempe, AZ
It is 1241 mi between Shreveport and Tempe — roughly 21h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1241 mi · 21h 5m by car · AZ → NM → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Tempe is 21.9% more expensive than Shreveport on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,092 in Shreveport to $468,281 in Tempe, a 21.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 5.2°F moving to Tempe per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 21.9% more than Shreveport at the median — $48,465 → $77,643 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Tempe, AZ from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 1241 mi and the route typically takes 21h 5m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 21.9% higher than Shreveport (103.316 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (5.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 51.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 246.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 60.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1241 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA · Tempe, AZ.