Moving from Wilmington, NC to Shreveport, LA
A move from Wilmington, NC to Shreveport, LA covers 1018 mi and around 18h 48m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1018 mi · 18h 48m by car · LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Shreveport | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 84.766 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 72.558 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.691 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 52.286 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Shreveport are 12.1% below Wilmington — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Shreveport typical home at $135,092 is 12.1% under Wilmington at $416,159 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Shreveport -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.4°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Shreveport sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, SHREVEPORT, LA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 183,483 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $48,465 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 15.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.43 |
Median household income in Shreveport is 12.1% below Wilmington ($63,900 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 North Carolina 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-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 Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1018 mi and the route typically takes 18h 48m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Shreveport compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,092 in Shreveport vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 67.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Shreveport more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Shreveport is 12.1% lower than Wilmington (84.766 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 1018 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Shreveport compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,150 in the Shreveport MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 170,470 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Shreveport?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,465 in Shreveport vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 24.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Shreveport?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Shreveport vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 51.4 in vs 60.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Shreveport, LA.