Moving from Birmingham, AL to Shreveport, LA
The 456 mi from Birmingham to Shreveport translate to about 8h 22m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
456 mi · 8h 22m by car · AL → MS → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 91.644 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 7.5% below Birmingham on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $135,870 vs $135,092 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 51.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.43 |
Income steps up 7.5%: $44,376 in Birmingham 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 Alabama 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.
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 far is Shreveport, LA from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 456 mi and the route typically takes 8h 22m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 9.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 7.5% lower than Birmingham (84.766 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 456 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (2.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 56.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 0.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Shreveport, LA.