Moving from Rockford, IL to Shreveport, LA
A move from Rockford, IL to Shreveport, LA covers 852 mi and around 15h 39m 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.
852 mi · 15h 39m by car · LA → AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 67, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 8.0% below Rockford — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 8.0% under Rockford at $177,225 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rockford | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 51.4" |
NOAA normals show Shreveport running 17.2°F above Rockford on the annual mean.
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: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 8.0% below Rockford ($53,328 → $48,465, 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 Illinois 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.
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 (17.2°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 household income compare in Rockford vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $53,328 in Rockford — a 9.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 8.0% lower than Rockford (84.766 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rockford and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 49.4°F in Rockford (17.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 37.1 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 37.2 in.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 852 mi and the route typically takes 15h 39m via I 55 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $177,225 in Rockford — a 23.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rockford 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 852 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL · Shreveport, LA.