Moving from Amarillo, TX to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Amarillo, TX to Shreveport, LA runs 544 mi β about 9h 45m 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.
544 mi Β· 9h 45m by car Β· TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 20, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, Fort Worth, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 7.7% below Amarillo β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 7.7% under Amarillo at $206,787 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 51.4" |
Climate warms by 9.7Β°F on the annual average β 56.9Β°F β 66.6Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.7% between Amarillo and Shreveport (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 far is Shreveport, LA from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 544 mi and the route typically takes 9h 45m via US 287 and I 20. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 34.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 544 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 22.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 7.7% lower than Amarillo (84.766 vs 91.82, 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 Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Shreveport, LA.