Moving from Shreveport, LA to Alexandria, VA
It is 1199 mi between Shreveport and Alexandria — roughly 22h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1199 mi · 22h 3m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 81, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Alexandria is 28.5% more expensive than Shreveport on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,092 in Shreveport to $676,205 in Alexandria, a 28.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 41.8" |
Annual temperature drops 7.3°F moving to Alexandria per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Alexandria sees 13.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.08 |
Alexandria households earn about 28.5% more than Shreveport at the median — $48,465 → $113,638 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Alexandria more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 28.5% higher than Shreveport (108.884 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 134.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (7.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 51.4 in.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 1199 mi and the route typically takes 22h 3m via I 20 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 400.6% 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 · Alexandria, VA.