Moving from Rochester, NY to Shreveport, LA
It is 1334 mi between Rochester and Shreveport — roughly 24h 37m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1334 mi · 24h 37m by car · NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 71, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Rochester at 97.035.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $235,784 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 51.4" |
Expect 17.1°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.43 |
Median household incomes in Rochester ($46,628) and Shreveport ($48,465) are within a few percent (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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.1°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 does the job market in Shreveport compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 12.6% lower than Rochester (84.766 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 1334 mi and the route typically takes 24h 37m via I 40 and I 71. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1334 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 42.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 49.5°F in Rochester (17.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 35.1 in.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 3.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Shreveport, LA.