Moving from Little Rock, AR to Shreveport, LA
The 213 mi from Little Rock to Shreveport translate to about 3h 51m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
213 mi · 3h 51m by car · AR → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 70, I 49, I 30 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport is 5.1% cheaper than Little Rock overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 5.1% below Little Rock — $216,519 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (61.7°F) and Shreveport (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.1% between Little Rock and Shreveport (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 Arkansas 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 far is Shreveport, LA from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 213 mi and the route typically takes 3h 51m via US 70 and I 49. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 37.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 20.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock 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 213 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 5.1% lower than Little Rock (84.766 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 50.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Shreveport, LA.