Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Shreveport, LA
It is 1632 mi and 28h 31m from Bakersfield to Shreveport β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1632 mi Β· 28h 31m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.0% moving from Bakersfield to Shreveport β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,047 in Bakersfield to $135,092 in Shreveport, a 16.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.0% β $77,397 β $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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 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
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 65.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 16.0% lower than Bakersfield (84.766 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 37.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1632 mi and the route typically takes 28h 31m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Shreveport, LA.