Moving from San Francisco, CA to Shreveport, LA
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Shreveport, LA is a 1961 mi cross-country relocation — about 35h 12m of driving through 5 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.
1961 mi · 35h 12m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Fairfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | 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 |
Overall prices in Shreveport come in 26.7% under San Francisco — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 26.7% under San Francisco at $1,356,662 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 10.4°F warmer on the annual average (56.2°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 26.7% below San Francisco ($141,446 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 (10.4°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 far is Shreveport, LA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1961 mi and the route typically takes 35h 12m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 1961 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 San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 90.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 26.7% lower than San Francisco (84.766 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (10.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 20.6 in.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 65.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Shreveport, LA.