Moving from Shreveport, LA to Birmingham, AL
The 456 mi from Shreveport to Birmingham translate to about 8h 22m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
456 mi · 8h 22m by car · AL → MS → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 84.766 in Shreveport to 91.644 in Birmingham, a 8.1% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $135,092 vs $135,870 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.25 |
Income steps down 8.1%: $48,465 in Shreveport vs $44,376 in Birmingham.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Birmingham average 91°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: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 509,200 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 Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 456 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 8.1% higher than Shreveport (91.644 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 0.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 51.4 in.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 456 mi and the route typically takes 8h 22m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 8.4% 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 Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA · Birmingham, AL.