Moving from Shreveport, LA to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Shreveport, LA to Little Rock, AR covers 213 mi and about 3h 51m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
213 mi · 3h 51m by car · AR → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 70, I 49, I 30 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.4% pricier overall in Little Rock than Shreveport on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Little Rock typical home at $216,519 is 5.4% above Shreveport at $135,092 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 50.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 61.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 5.4% above Shreveport ($48,465 vs $60,583, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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 Little Rock average 92°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: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May — identify a safe room on day one.
- 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (4.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 51.4 in.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 5.4% higher than Shreveport (89.364 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 25.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 213 mi and the route typically takes 3h 51m via US 70 and I 49. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 213 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 60.3% 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 · Little Rock, AR.