Moving from Chicago, IL to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Chicago, IL to Shreveport, LA runs 863 mi β about 15h 29m 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.
863 mi Β· 15h 29m by car Β· IL β MO β AR β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β AR β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport is 18.2% cheaper than Chicago overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 18.2% below Chicago β $317,283 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 15.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.8Β°F vs 66.6Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.2% between Chicago and Shreveport (ACS 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 Illinois 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 57.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 863 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 Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 863 mi and the route typically takes 15h 29m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 35.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 18.2% lower than Chicago (84.766 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Shreveport, LA.