Moving from Allen, TX to Shreveport, LA
It is a 199 mi drive, roughly 3h 32m, between Allen, TX and Shreveport, LA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
199 mi Β· 3h 32m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Dallas, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.8% cheaper overall in Shreveport than Allen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 51.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 17.8% less than Allen at the median β $129,130 β $48,465 on ACS 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 Texas 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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $129,130 in Allen β a 62.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 199 mi and the route typically takes 3h 32m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 17.8% lower than Allen (84.766 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $493,532 in Allen β a 72.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Shreveport, LA.