Moving from Salem, OR to Shreveport, LA
Moving from Salem, OR to Shreveport, LA is a 2246 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 42m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2246 mi Β· 39h 42m by car Β· LA β TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 287, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Dallas, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 18.2% below Salem β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 18.2% under Salem at $436,318 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 12.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (54.1Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 18.2% below Salem ($71,900 vs $48,465, ACS 5-year 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $436,318 in Salem β a 69.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2246 mi and the route typically takes 39h 42m via I 84 and US 287. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Salem to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 18.2% lower than Salem (84.766 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $71,900 in Salem β a 32.6% lower 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 Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Shreveport, LA.