Moving from Dallas, TX to Shreveport, LA

Moving from Dallas, TX to Shreveport, LA covers 181 mi and about 3h 11m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.

181 mi · 3h 11m by car · TX → LA

COL -17.8% Home values -56.3% Δ -1.4°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
181 mi
Drive time
3h 11m
States
2
Fuel (25 mpg)
7 gal
Route throughTX → LA
Primary highwaysI 20, US 80, I 30
Major cities en routeIrving, Frisco, Carrollton, Lewisville, Arlington

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

DallasShreveportU.S. avg
All items (RPP)103.0984.766100.0
Rents90.71172.558100.0
Goods102.83893.691100.0
Services117.87452.286100.0

Overall prices in Shreveport are 17.8% below Dallas — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Dallas — typical home
$309,421
Shreveport — typical home
$135,092
Dallas — typical rent
$1,606/mo
Shreveport — typical rent
$1,145/mo

Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 17.8% under Dallas at $309,421 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsDallasShreveport
Annual avg temperature68°F67°F
January avg low38°F37°F
July avg high97°F94°F
Annual snowfall1.7"0.9"
Annual precipitation38.3"51.4"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 68.0°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023DallasShreveport
Population1,299,553183,483
Median household income$67,760$48,465
Median age33.437.5
Bachelor's degree or higher22.9%15.5%
Avg household size2.462.43

Median household income in Shreveport is 17.8% below Dallas ($67,760 vs $48,465, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Dallas MSA — median wage
$48,440
Shreveport MSA — median wage
$39,150
Dallas MSA — employment
3,966,500
Shreveport MSA — employment
170,470

Top occupations in Shreveport MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Texas and Louisiana

Texas income tax
no state income tax
Louisiana income tax
3% top marginal

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

How far is Shreveport, LA from Dallas, TX?

The driving distance is 181 mi and the route typically takes 3h 11m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Is Shreveport more expensive than Dallas?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 17.8% lower than Dallas (84.766 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

What is the climate difference between Dallas and Shreveport?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 68.0°F in Dallas (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 38.3 in.

When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 181 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Dallas?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Dallas vs Shreveport?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 28.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Dallas?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 56.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.

City profiles: Dallas, TX · Shreveport, LA.

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