Moving from Charleston, SC to Shreveport, LA
A move from Charleston, SC to Shreveport, LA covers 896 mi and around 16h 43m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
896 mi Β· 16h 43m by car Β· LA β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.962 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 16.0% below Charleston on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 16.0% below Charleston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 51.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 16.0% below Charleston ($90,038 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 South Carolina 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 Charleston to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 896 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 896 mi and the route typically takes 16h 43m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 77.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 16.0% lower than Charleston (84.766 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 46.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Shreveport, LA.