Moving from Seattle, WA to Shreveport, LA
A 2260 mi cross-country move between Seattle and Shreveport is 39h 60m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2260 mi · 39h 60m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → OK → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → OK → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 111.133 in Seattle to 84.766 in Shreveport, a 23.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 23.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $868,680 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 13.4°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 23.7% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $48,465 on 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 (13.4°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
Is Shreveport more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 23.7% lower than Seattle (84.766 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 53.2°F in Seattle (13.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 37.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 2260 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2260 mi and the route typically takes 39h 60m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 60.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 84.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 2,079,090 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Shreveport, LA.