Moving from Columbia, MO to Shreveport, LA
Relocating 583 mi from Columbia to Shreveport is a 11h 25m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
583 mi · 11h 25m by car · LA → AR → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → AR → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 65, I 30, US 62 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.2% cheaper overall in Shreveport than Columbia on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 51.4" |
Expect 10.4°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.2% — $64,488 → $48,465 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Missouri 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.4°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 Columbia and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 56.2°F in Columbia (10.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 17.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 44.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $321,091 in Columbia — a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 583 mi and the route typically takes 11h 25m via US 65 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 5.2% lower than Columbia (84.766 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $64,488 in Columbia — a 24.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbia 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 583 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO · Shreveport, LA.