Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Shreveport, LA
It is 1406 mi between Elizabeth and Shreveport — roughly 26h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 10 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.
1406 mi · 26h 8m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 20, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 112.563 in Elizabeth to 84.766 in Shreveport, a 24.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $534,667 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 11.1°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA normals.
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 24.7% less than Elizabeth at the median — $63,874 → $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 New Jersey 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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 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 (11.1°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
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 1406 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 Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (11.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 46.6 in.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 24.7% lower than Elizabeth (84.766 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1406 mi and the route typically takes 26h 8m via I 81 and I 20. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 24.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 74.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Shreveport, LA.