Moving from Richmond, CA to Shreveport, LA
It is 1913 mi and 33h 44m from Richmond to Shreveport — a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1913 mi · 33h 44m by car · LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Garland, Mesquite, Dallas, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | 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 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in Richmond to 84.766 in Shreveport, a 26.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 26.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $606,427 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 51.4" |
Expect 7.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to fall 26.7% — $90,038 → $48,465 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 Richmond and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 58.8°F in Richmond (7.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 24.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 1913 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 1913 mi and the route typically takes 33h 44m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 46.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 77.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 26.7% lower than Richmond (84.766 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Shreveport, LA.