Moving from Columbia, SC to Shreveport, LA
It is 820 mi between Columbia and Shreveport — roughly 15h 15m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
820 mi · 15h 15m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA → 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
| Columbia | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.662 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.306 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.455 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Columbia at 93.662.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $229,068 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Columbia +1.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.4" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.3" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Columbia (63.6°F) and Shreveport (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANDHILL RSCH - ELGIN, SC US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 28.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.43 |
Households in Shreveport earn about 9.5% less at the median — 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 — 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.
- 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 63.6°F in Columbia (3.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 46.3 in.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance is 820 mi and the route typically takes 15h 15m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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 $55,653 in Columbia — a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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 $42,630 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 381,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 9.5% lower than Columbia (84.766 vs 93.662, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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 $229,068 in Columbia — a 41.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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 820 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, SC · Shreveport, LA.