Moving from Shreveport, LA to New Orleans, LA
It is a 334 mi drive, roughly 6h 17m, between Shreveport, LA and New Orleans, LA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
334 mi · 6h 17m by car · LA
Distance & route
| Route through | LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 167, I 10 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | New Orleans | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 92.597 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 71.231 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 86.009 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.2% above Shreveport — 84.766 → 92.597 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, New Orleans -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 60.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in New Orleans — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 376,035 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $55,339 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.43 |
Households in New Orleans earn about 9.2% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in New Orleans MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 64,460 | $38,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 59,980 | $26,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 48,630 | $37,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 48,580 | $31,100 |
| Management Occupations | 33,120 | $101,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 New Orleans 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: New Orleans averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit during unpack.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in New Orleans compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,493 in New Orleans vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 79.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is New Orleans more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in New Orleans is 9.2% higher than Shreveport (92.597 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to New Orleans?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 334 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 New Orleans?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,339 in New Orleans vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 14.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is New Orleans, LA from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 334 mi and the route typically takes 6h 17m via I 49 and US 167. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in New Orleans compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 514,800 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 New Orleans?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.9°F in New Orleans vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 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 · New Orleans, LA.