Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Shreveport, LA
It is 1184 mi between Virginia Beach and Shreveport — roughly 22h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1184 mi · 22h 21m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 85, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Shreveport at 84.766 vs Virginia Beach at 97.941.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $427,032 to $135,092 moving to Shreveport.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 51.4" |
Annual temperature rises 6.8°F moving to Shreveport per NOAA normals.
Shreveport gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.43 |
Shreveport households earn about 13.5% less than Virginia Beach at the median — $90,685 → $48,465 on ACS 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 Virginia 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 — 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 Shreveport average 94°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 — 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.
- Register to vote in Louisiana after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Shreveport, LA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 1184 mi and the route typically takes 22h 21m via I 20 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 13.5% lower than Virginia Beach (84.766 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 68.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Shreveport?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 46.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 46.6 in.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Shreveport, LA.