Moving from Gainesville, FL to Shreveport, LA
The drive from Gainesville, FL to Shreveport, LA runs 793 mi — about 14h 54m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
793 mi · 14h 54m by car · LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Mobile, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gainesville | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.733 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.155 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 92.982 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 96.733 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 12.4% below Gainesville on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 12.4% below Gainesville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Gainesville -2.6%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Gainesville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 51.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GAINESVILLE RGNL AP, FL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gainesville | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $45,611 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 26.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.7% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.43 |
Income steps up 12.4%: $45,611 in Gainesville vs $48,465 in Shreveport.
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 Florida 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.
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 much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Gainesville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $297,055 in Gainesville — a 54.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance is 793 mi and the route typically takes 14h 54m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Gainesville vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $45,611 in Gainesville — a 6.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Gainesville 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 793 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 Gainesville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $45,490 in the Gainesville MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 141,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Gainesville and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 69.3°F in Gainesville (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 48.3 in.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Gainesville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 12.4% lower than Gainesville (84.766 vs 96.733, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gainesville.
City profiles: Gainesville, FL · Shreveport, LA.