Moving from Portland, OR to Shreveport, LA
Cross-country relocations like Portland, OR → Shreveport, LA cover 2197 mi and about 38h 42m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2197 mi · 38h 42m by car · OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → CO → OK → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → CO → OK → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 287, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.421 to 84.766, putting Shreveport roughly 19.6% below Portland on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Shreveport: 19.6% below Portland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 51.4" |
Climate warms by 11.8°F on the annual average — 54.8°F → 66.6°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Shreveport — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 19.6% between Portland 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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $534,638 in Portland — a 74.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 54.8°F in Portland (11.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 44.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Portland 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 2197 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2197 mi and the route typically takes 38h 42m via I 84 and US 287. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $88,792 in Portland — a 45.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 19.6% lower than Portland (84.766 vs 105.421, 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Shreveport, LA.