Moving from Shreveport, LA to Riverside, CA
Cross-country relocations like Shreveport, LA → Riverside, CA cover 1570 mi and about 26h 54m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1570 mi · 26h 54m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Shreveport | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 84.766 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.558 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 52.286 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 25.6% pricier overall price level — 84.766 → 106.442 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Riverside typical home at $646,784 is 25.6% above Shreveport at $135,092 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Shreveport -2.4%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Shreveport | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 10.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 66.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SHREVEPORT, LA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Shreveport | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $48,465 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.5% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 3.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 25.6% between Shreveport and Riverside (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Riverside average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Shreveport vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $48,465 in Shreveport — a 82.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Shreveport?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 170,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Shreveport, LA?
The driving distance is 1570 mi and the route typically takes 26h 54m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Riverside more expensive than Shreveport?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 25.6% higher than Shreveport (106.442 vs 84.766, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Shreveport and Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 66.6°F in Shreveport (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 51.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Shreveport?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $135,092 in Shreveport — a 378.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Shreveport to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1570 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Shreveport.
City profiles: Shreveport, LA · Riverside, CA.