Moving from Oakland, CA to Shreveport, LA
A 1897 mi cross-country move between Oakland and Shreveport is 33h 25m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1897 mi · 33h 25m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Shreveport sits 26.7% cheaper than Oakland on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $716,248 in Oakland to $135,092 in Shreveport, a 26.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 7.0°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 26.7% less than Oakland at the median — $97,369 → $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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 59.6°F in Oakland (7.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 22.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 81.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 26.7% lower than Oakland (84.766 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 50.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Oakland 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 1897 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 1897 mi and the route typically takes 33h 25m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Shreveport, LA.