Moving from Shreveport, LA to Abilene, TX
It is a 365 mi drive, roughly 6h 24m, between Shreveport, LA and Abilene, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
365 mi · 6h 24m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 20 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Allen, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.6% above Shreveport — 84.766 → 90.364 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 25.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Abilene gets around 3.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.72 |
Abilene households earn about 6.6% more than Shreveport at the median — $48,465 → $62,720 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Abilene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 10,850 | $37,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,210 | $26,270 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,750 | $29,820 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 5,560 | $73,610 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,460 | $35,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Abilene average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 29.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Abilene, TX from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 365 mi and the route typically takes 6h 24m via I 20 and I 20 BUS. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Abilene more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 6.6% higher than Shreveport (90.364 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (0.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 51.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 365 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 55.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA · Abilene, TX.