Moving from Denver, CO to Shreveport, LA
It is 959 mi between Denver and Shreveport — roughly 17h 34m 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.
959 mi · 17h 34m by car · CO → OK → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → OK → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 20, US 385 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.9% cheaper overall in Shreveport than Denver on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 19.9% less than Denver at the median — $91,681 → $48,465 on 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 Colorado 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 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 (15.2°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
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $539,666 in Denver — a 75.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 959 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 51.4°F in Denver (15.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 15.4 in.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $91,681 in Denver — a 47.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 19.9% lower than Denver (84.766 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 959 mi and the route typically takes 17h 34m via US 287 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Shreveport, LA.