Moving from Tallahassee, FL to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Tallahassee, FL to Shreveport, LA runs 651 mi β about 12h 21m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
651 mi Β· 12h 21m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tallahassee | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.919 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.471 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.528 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport is 9.7% cheaper than Tallahassee overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 9.7% below Tallahassee β $291,127 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tallahassee +0.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tallahassee | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.8" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Tallahassee (68.5Β°F) and Shreveport (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TALLAHASSEE, FL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tallahassee | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $55,931 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 28 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.43 |
Income steps down 9.7%: $55,931 in Tallahassee vs $48,465 in Shreveport.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Shreveport MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,700 | $36,480 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,310 | $29,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 16,190 | $22,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,220 | $34,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,190 | $69,280 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana'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 Shreveport average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Shreveport averages 51.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit 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 Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Shreveport, LA from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance is 651 mi and the route typically takes 12h 21m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tallahassee to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 651 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Tallahassee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 9.7% lower than Tallahassee (84.766 vs 93.919, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tallahassee vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $55,931 in Tallahassee β a 13.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Tallahassee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $291,127 in Tallahassee β a 53.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Tallahassee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 181,050 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tallahassee.
City profiles: Tallahassee, FL Β· Shreveport, LA.