Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Shreveport, LA

A move from Palm Bay, FL to Shreveport, LA covers 970 mi and around 18h 14m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

970 mi Β· 18h 14m by car Β· LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL

COL -15.2% Home values -55.3% Ξ” -6.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
970 mi
Drive time
18h 14m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
39 gal
Route throughLA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL
Primary highwaysI 10, I 20, I 75
Major cities en routeJackson, Mobile, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Palm BayShreveportU.S. avg
All items (RPP)100.00584.766100.0
Rents88.06472.558100.0
Goods96.2493.691100.0
Services111.73152.286100.0

RPP moves from 100.005 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 15.2% below Palm Bay on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Palm Bay β€” typical home
$302,461
Shreveport β€” typical home
$135,092
Palm Bay β€” typical rent
$1,866/mo
Shreveport β€” typical rent
$1,145/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 15.2% below Palm Bay on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsPalm BayShreveport
Annual avg temperature73Β°F67Β°F
January avg low49Β°F37Β°F
July avg high91Β°F94Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”0.9"
Annual precipitation55.6"51.4"

Shreveport is 6.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.6Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport β€” NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Palm BayShreveport
Population125,273183,483
Median household income$67,521$48,465
Median age41.337.5
Bachelor's degree or higher14.4%15.5%
Avg household size2.822.43

Median household income in Shreveport is 15.2% below Palm Bay ($67,521 vs $48,465, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Palm Bay MSA β€” median wage
$46,290
Shreveport MSA β€” median wage
$39,150
Palm Bay MSA β€” employment
236,890
Shreveport MSA β€” employment
170,470

Top occupations in Shreveport MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

Florida income tax
no state income tax
Louisiana income tax
3% top marginal

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 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 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

Is Shreveport more expensive than Palm Bay?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 15.2% lower than Palm Bay (84.766 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Palm Bay?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Shreveport?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β€” a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

When is the best time to move from Palm Bay 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 970 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Palm Bay?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β€” a 55.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Shreveport, LA from Palm Bay, FL?

The driving distance is 970 mi and the route typically takes 18h 14m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 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 Palm Bay.

City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Shreveport, LA.

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