Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Shreveport, LA
Cross-country relocations like Costa Mesa, CA β Shreveport, LA cover 1609 mi and about 27h 47m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1609 mi Β· 27h 47m by car Β· LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport come in 25.4% under Costa Mesa β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 25.4% under Costa Mesa at $1,413,322 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 25.4% between Costa Mesa 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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 25.4% lower than Costa Mesa (84.766 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1609 mi and the route typically takes 27h 47m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 56.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1609 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 90.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Shreveport, LA.