Moving from Shreveport, LA to Chattanooga, TN
The drive from Shreveport, LA to Chattanooga, TN runs 606 mi — about 11h 9m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
606 mi · 11h 9m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 59, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 84.766 in Shreveport to 91.464 in Chattanooga, a 7.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Chattanooga: 7.9% above Shreveport on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 55.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Chattanooga gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 7.9% between Shreveport and Chattanooga (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga 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: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 606 mi and the route typically takes 11h 9m via I 20 and I 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 606 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 25.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 7.9% higher than Shreveport (91.464 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 136.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Chattanooga?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Chattanooga vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (4.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 55.0 in vs 51.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA · Chattanooga, TN.