Moving from Boston, MA to Shreveport, LA
Moving from Boston, MA to Shreveport, LA is a 1631 mi cross-country relocation — about 30h 50m of driving through 13 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1631 mi · 30h 50m by car · MA → CT → NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL → MS → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → CT → NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → GA → AL → MS → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 20, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport come in 21.7% under Boston — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 21.7% under Boston at $798,217 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 14.7°F warmer on the annual average (51.9°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 21.7% below Boston ($94,755 vs $48,465, ACS 5-year 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 Massachusetts 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Boston and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 51.9°F in Boston (14.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 43.6 in.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 21.7% lower than Boston (84.766 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $798,217 in Boston — a 83.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $94,755 in Boston — a 48.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boston 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 1631 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 1631 mi and the route typically takes 30h 50m via I 81 and I 20. The trip crosses 13 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 Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Shreveport, LA.