Moving from Durham, NC to Shreveport, LA
It is 984 mi between Durham and Shreveport β roughly 18h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
984 mi Β· 18h 18m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 85, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Durham at 97.572.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $396,395 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 8.2Β°F moving to Shreveport per 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: DURHAM, NC US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 13.1% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 β $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 North 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 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $396,395 in Durham β a 65.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 13.1% lower than Durham (84.766 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 984 mi and the route typically takes 18h 18m via I 20 and I 85. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $79,234 in Durham β a 38.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 984 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Shreveport, LA.