Moving from Mesquite, TX to Shreveport, LA
Moving from Mesquite, TX to Shreveport, LA covers 171 mi and about 3h 2m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
171 mi Β· 3h 2m by car Β· LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, SPUR 557 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Garland, Richardson, Plano, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mesquite | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport is 17.8% cheaper than Mesquite overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 17.8% below Mesquite β $262,121 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Mesquite -4.6%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mesquite | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 51.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Mesquite (66.0Β°F) and Shreveport (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (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: FERRIS, TX US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mesquite | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $71,843 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 17.8% below Mesquite ($71,843 vs $48,465, 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 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.
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 does household income compare in Mesquite vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $71,843 in Mesquite β a 32.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Mesquite, TX?
The driving distance is 171 mi and the route typically takes 3h 2m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Mesquite?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $262,121 in Mesquite β a 48.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Mesquite?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Mesquite to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 171 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Mesquite?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 17.8% lower than Mesquite (84.766 vs 103.09, 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 Mesquite.
City profiles: Mesquite, TX Β· Shreveport, LA.