Moving from Shreveport, LA to Houston, TX
Relocating between Shreveport, LA and Houston, TX is a 235 mi drive — 4h 34m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
235 mi · 4h 34m by car · TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, I-69, FM 942 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.4% above Shreveport — 84.766 → 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to rise 16.4% — $48,465 → $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 far is Houston, TX from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via US 59 and I-69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 16.4% higher than Shreveport (98.629 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 29.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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 Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 235 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 95.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 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 · Houston, TX.