Moving from Columbus, GA to Shreveport, LA
It is 563 mi between Columbus and Shreveport β roughly 10h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
563 mi Β· 10h 43m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 80, I 20, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Montgomery, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.296 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.666 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.332 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 61.185 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Columbus at 89.296.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $173,152 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Columbus +1.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Columbus (63.7Β°F) and Shreveport (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: COLUMBUS #2, GA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $56,622 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.43 |
Households in Shreveport earn about 5.1% less at the median β 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 Georgia 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
Is Shreveport more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 5.1% lower than Columbus (84.766 vs 89.296, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $38,490 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 113,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Columbus, GA?
The driving distance is 563 mi and the route typically takes 10h 43m via US 80 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $173,152 in Columbus β a 22.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $56,622 in Columbus β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 563 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, GA Β· Shreveport, LA.