Moving from Tacoma, WA to Shreveport, LA
Moving from Tacoma, WA to Shreveport, LA is a 2273 mi cross-country relocation β about 40h 17m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2273 mi Β· 40h 17m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX β LA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX β LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 23.7% below Tacoma β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (111.133 β 84.766, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Shreveport is 23.7% below Tacoma β $493,840 vs $135,092 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 51.4" |
Shreveport runs 12.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.7Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 23.7% below Tacoma ($83,857 vs $48,465, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Shreveport MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,700 | $36,480 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,310 | $29,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 16,190 | $22,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,220 | $34,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,190 | $69,280 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Louisiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Louisiana'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Shreveport average 94Β°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: Shreveport averages 51.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 42.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Shreveport, LA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2273 mi and the route typically takes 40h 17m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 23.7% lower than Tacoma (84.766 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 72.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Shreveport, LA.