Moving from Alexandria, VA to Shreveport, LA
Relocating 1199 mi from Alexandria to Shreveport is a 22h 3m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1199 mi · 22h 3m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 81, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport sits 22.2% cheaper than Alexandria on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $676,205 in Alexandria to $135,092 in Shreveport, a 22.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 51.4" |
Expect 7.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.2% — $113,638 → $48,465 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Virginia 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 — 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements 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 Shreveport average 94°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 22.2% lower than Alexandria (84.766 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 1199 mi and the route typically takes 22h 3m via I 20 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 57.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (7.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 41.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 80.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Shreveport, LA.