Moving from McAllen, TX to Shreveport, LA
It is 582 mi between McAllen and Shreveport — roughly 11h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
582 mi · 11h 8m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature drops 8.9°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 34 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.43 |
Households in Shreveport earn about 1.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Texas 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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Shreveport, LA from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 582 mi and the route typically takes 11h 8m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen 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 582 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 41.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 1.3% lower than McAllen (84.766 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 75.5°F in McAllen (8.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 18.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Shreveport, LA.