Moving from Brownsville, TX to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Brownsville, TX to Shreveport, LA runs 585 mi β about 11h 26m 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.
585 mi Β· 11h 26m by car Β· TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, I 69E |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport and Brownsville are close on the overall BEA RPP (85.975 vs 84.766); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 1.4% under Brownsville at $195,993 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 51.4" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 74.4Β°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: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.43 |
Household income lines up β $48,675 vs $48,465 on 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 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
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 585 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 Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 31.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 0.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 1.4% lower than Brownsville (84.766 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 585 mi and the route typically takes 11h 26m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 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 Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Shreveport, LA.