Pros and Cons of Moving to Shreveport, Louisiana

A Quick Overview of Shreveport   

Situated in picturesque northwest Louisiana on the banks of the Red River, Shreveport is the cultural and economic hub of the Ark-La-Tex — the oil-rich, tri-state region between Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.  

The Shreveport-Bossier region — part of Caddo Parish — has long been an important distribution center for essential goods. While everything from cotton to lumber to steel has been carried along the waters of the Red, petroleum and natural gas remain some of the city’s most critical products for transport. But Shreveport is also home to Barksdale Air Force Base and Louisiana State University Shreveport, so many residents also work in the defense, healthcare and educational sectors. 

The Shreveport population now stands at 187,593, making it the third-largest city in the state. But the metro area is far larger — more than 383,000 people now call the Shreveport-Bossier region home. Housing costs in the city are far below average, which may appeal especially to first-time homebuyers and those looking for a more affordable U.S. city to retire in. Learn more about Shreveport demographics from the U.S. Census. 

One thing that Shreveport isn’t short on is fun. This city has dozens of attractions that will appeal to the whole family, from the Shreveport Aquarium to the Sci-Port Discovery Center. But it’s the outdoor destinations that will really have you hooked on this city, from sailing on Cross Lake to kayaking among the cypress trees at Caddo Lake. And, because Shreveport is within driving distance from Dallas, Houston, Little Rock and New Orleans, it’s easy to explore larger cities in the region or take off for a weekend at the beach. 

If you are looking to move to a Southern college town with a lower cost of living that’s not too far from the coast, Shreveport should be on your list. Learn more about this city in our moving guide below, where we’ll discuss the cost of living in Shreveport, the cultural amenities, the job and housing markets, the weather and our favorite places to eat out.  

The Upsides of Living in Shreveport 

Out of all the cities in the state of Louisiana — and the South as a whole — your friends may be asking, “Why move to Shreveport?” Well, we’ve got answers. Here are just a few of the biggest reasons why you may want to move to this pocket of the Pelican State. 

Low Cost of Living 

The low cost of living in Shreveport is one of the biggest selling points of this historic, southern city. This is one American metropolis where the housing bubble neither swelled nor burst, and you’ll find prices more affordable across the board here, whether you’re buying or renting in Shreveport.  

So, what should you expect the price of a house in Shreveport to be? Well, according to the U.S. Census, the median home value in Shreveport is $168,300 — half the national median — and the median gross rent in Shreveport is only $1,013/month — a savings of hundreds of dollars off the U.S. rate.  

Other common household expenses are also more affordable in the Shreveport-Bossier area, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which estimates that a single individual would spend the following amounts annually on essentials: 

• Food: $4,158 
• Medical Expenses: $3,284 
• Housing: $9,243 
• Transportation: $9,948 
• Civic Expenses: $2,589 
• Internet/Mobile: $1,424 
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $3,770 
• Taxes: $6,025 

Lively Local Culture and Activities  

One of the hallmarks of Shreveport culture is Southern hospitality, and the cultural calendar of this city is filled with festivals in every season. Mardi Gras celebrations are a given in the Pelican State, but Shreveport has some surprises up its sleeve when it comes to gatherings, like Prize Fest. This film, food and music festival doles out major dough to up-and-coming stars of the screen — the film competition’s winner walks away with $50,000.  

As part of the so-called Hollywood South, Shreveport has played the part of places as distant as Kodiak, Alaska, and Paris, France. Its historic homes and mysterious waters have served as set and stage for productions like True Blood and Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, which you can see on tour of Shreveport’s Film Trail.  

But film is just the beginning of Shreveport’s celebrations. In May, the city celebrates the beloved crawfish during Mudbug Madness, which features a killer lineup of Zydeco and Cajun bands. The Highland Jazz & Blues Festival fills Columbia Park with visitors each September for this popular event, now in its 21st year. The Red River Revel is a monster-size art and music fest with a family-centric vibe. Adults can shop for their favorite handmades while kids learn crafts in the Discovery Maker Zone. There are even music workshops and a youth talent show. 

Even when there’s not a big event going on there are still plenty of things to do in Shreveport. Kid-friendly spots like the aquarium and Sci-Port make hands-on learning fun, and the younger set will also enjoy the Shreveport Water Works and Railroad Museum, where antique steam engines and locomotives elicit joy and awe.  

The largest historic moments of the state’s story are writ small at the Louisiana State Museum, where an amazing, WPA-era diorama showcases 1940s life in the Pelican State. The museum also has fascinating natural history and Native American exhibits, telling the story of the Caddo Culture, for which the parish was named.  

Shreveport has far more than one great spot for art lovers. The R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Artspace, the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College and the Southern University Museum of Art (SUMAS) — which has an impressive collection of African and African American art — all give Shreveport’s creatives places to see and be seen. 

In the heart of Shreveport’s Downtown Entertainment District, the RiverView Theater hosts the city’s performing arts trifecta — the symphony, the opera and the ballet. Grab a nightcap at Fatty Arbuckle’s pub after a performance!  

Some Great Outdoor Opportunities  

Between the Red River, the lakes and the lush Louisiana landscape, new residents will find a whole world of outdoor activities near Shreveport.  

The Shreveport-Bossier area may be miles from the ocean, but the inland bodies of water give the sea a run for its money. Cross Lake, just outside the city, is a manmade wonder that supplies Shreveport with water and the citizens with aquatic recreation — boating and fishing are both popular here. At 25,400 acres, Caddo Lake is the largest body of freshwater in the South, and it boasts more cypress trees than anywhere else on earth. This wild wonder is less than 30 miles northwest of the city, with half its body in Louisiana and half in Texas, a common experience in Ark-La-Tex. Paddling among this ancient arbor, veiled by Spanish moss, you’re likely to spy all manner of birds as well as alligators, tortoises and other creaturely magic.  

The best spot for animal-lovers in the region, though, is the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, where you can hike the trails along the bluffs and levees, fish for bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass, and hunt for that perfect shot of a roseate spoonbill.  

Dozens of city parks and play spaces make Shreveport a great spot for families. The Red River Bicycle Trail connects 6.5 miles of waterside destinations, from RiverView Park to the skatepark to the marina. 

Cargill Park, on the other hand, is all about team sports — 10 softball fields and 13 soccer fields make this place a favorite for tournaments. But the park’s real claim to fame is the BMX track, where pint-sized and full-sized daredevils race most weekends. 

Very Little Car Traffic 

If you’re planning on driving in Shreveport, you won’t experience the same traffic woes as you would in larger cities. Even though most commuters in the region rely on cars for transportation, it takes the average resident of Caddo Parish less than 21 minutes to get to work. 

Shreveport’s commute times lag far behind larger Southern metros. In Atlanta, workers typically spend more than 29 minutes traveling to work, and Shreveport even beats out other Louisiana cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  

If you’re planning on living within the city limits, Shreveport’s public transport system SporTran is still offering fare-free rides. The bus-only service isn’t the most robust, but you really can’t beat the price! 

Southern Livin’ and Cookin’ 

So, what are people like in Shreveport? Well, from the spiciness of the cuisine to the spirit of the culture, the Bayou State is known for its warmth and Southern hospitality. Cajun and Creole classics like gumbo and jambalaya dominate the menus in town, alongside favorites like savory collard greens, shrimp and grits and barbeque.  

One of this region’s staples, though, is the mayhaw — the tart, berry-like fruit of a hawthorn tree that’s so prevalent in the region whole festivals have been dedicated to its ripening. Don’t be surprised if one of your new neighbors welcomes you with a jar of mayhaw jelly or a mayhaw meringue pie.  

Specializing in northern Louisiana cuisine, Us Up North offers “culinary adventures” led by a James Beard-nominated chef, which will take you and 15 of your closest friends on a tasty tour of some of the epicurean treasures of the region, from fried catfish to purple hull peas to peach cobbler.  

Papion’s Creole Bistreaux is one of the stars of Shreveport’s downtown scene, while just across the river in Bossier, The Port will treat you to prime surf & turf, from Wagyu burgers to crawfish étouffée. 

The Mabry House welcomes visitors into an actual Victorian-era home, which cozies up the traditional fine dining experience. The master of casual dining in Shreveport is Herby K’s — a self-named hole-in-the-wall that’s been open since the 30s and slinging their famous Shrimp Buster po’boys since 1945. This is the place to go when you want a perfect, no-frills oyster sandwich and a bottle of beer — all for under 15 bucks. Whether you’re after a high-brow or low-brow experience, the food in Shreveport will not disappoint.  

The Downsides of Moving to Shreveport 

The Weather Can Be Intense 

Southerners might not be put off by the climate of Shreveport, but if you’re accustomed to cool climes and four seasons, you’ll have to adjust your thermostat to get along in this warm-weather haven.  

Ordinarily, Shreveport stays above freezing for most of the year, but snow is not unheard of. Every so often the city sees a measurable amount, and the “arctic outbreak” of 2021 blindsided the parish with nearly 10 inches of winter fun.  

It’s warm-weather storms you really must watch out for in Shreveport. Thunderstorms, floods and wicked rains pulled in from Gulf-borne hurricanes can batter the city. Tornadoes are an ever-increasing hazard here, as they are in much of the South and Midwest.  

The ordinary perils of the city are the heat and high humidity. Highs will be in the 90s F from at least June through August, but we’d be surprised if temperatures didn’t spike in May and September, too. Rainfall arrives consistently throughout the year—around 4 inches a month — leaving the region with an average annual soaking of 51 inches (and a lot of hungry mosquitoes). 

Jobs Can Be Sparse 

The economy of Shreveport isn’t as diversified as it is in cities like Dallas, Houston or Atlanta, but it still has several strong bases that make the city appealing to those looking to make a career move. 

Barksdale Air Force Base employs upwards of 10,000 residents, and its presence also supports jobs in the private sector through defense-related contractors like GDIT — General Dynamics Information Technology — and Benteler Steel/Tube. The City of Shreveport, the State of Louisiana and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also employ significant numbers.  

Educational and healthcare institutions like Caddo Public Schools and LSU/LSU Health are vital to the region, not just for the enormous number of jobs in Shreveport that they support, but for the resources and stability they provide to the parish. 

With an unemployment rate of 5% in June 2025, Shreveport’s job growth hasn’t been anything to write home about lately. Despite this flagging number, most industries did experience modest growth between 2024 and 2025, but professional and business services, which employs 17,000 individuals, dipped by 4.1%, and other, even smaller sectors also dropped, though by even less significant margins. The largest industry sector in Shreveport is education and health services, which employs 33,400 people, followed closely by trade, transportation and utilities with 32,600, the government with 26,700, and leisure and hospitality with 20,800. 

Income levels are also far lower in Shreveport compared to the national trend. The U.S. Census estimates the median household income in the city of Shreveport to be only $48,486 — little more than half of the median annual earnings are in the country.  

So, Should You Move to Shreveport?  

Relocating to Shreveport is a big decision, so let’s review the pros and cons of living in this northwestern Louisiana city: 

1. Shreveport is affordable, friendly and fun — anyone looking for a slower pace of life with lots of community-centric events and robust cultural amenities, including the symphony, ballet and opera, should consider moving to Shreveport. 
2. Shreveport does have a couple of negatives, though. Summers are only getting hotter, stickier and stormier, and the job market is showing some volatility of its own.
3. The public transportation system in Shreveport isn’t vast, but it is free, and commute times in the city are far shorter than in more crowded areas. The only time you’ll see a real traffic jam here is during the fall migration, when millions of songbirds can pass through the city in a single night.  

Moving to Shreveport, Louisiana Now? Let America’s #1 Mover® Get You There 

United Van Lines can make your move to Shreveport a breeze.  

Get a moving quote now for Shreveport, Louisiana. 

Organize Your Move 

The most important first step in any move is creating a moving plan. When you know what steps to take, your move will be easier to manage. Start by bookmarking our week-by-week moving checklist to stay on track throughout the entire process. 

Choosing the Right Moving Method 

Considering moving on your own? Going the DIY route can be a big challenge. See the pros and cons of moving by yourself vs. going the professional route, considering your time, budget and moving distance. 

Finding the Best Movers for Your Needs  

Whether you’re moving cross-country or making a local move in Shreveport, going the full-service route can save you time (and save your sanity).  

Planning a long-distance move to Shreveport? United Van Lines’ full-service moving packages are customizable, so if you need help packing and unpacking, shipping a car, storing your belongings or getting rid of moving debris, we can help. A personal move coordinator will manage all the details of your move. United’s network of expert long-distance movers will handle your move with the utmost care, and you can access updated information about your move 24/7 through the MyUnited Move Portal. 

If you’re moving locally, either within the state of Louisiana or from another part of Shreveport, United Van Lines’ interstate Shreveport, Louisiana, agents/movers can provide you with local moving services in the region independently under their own businesses and brands. 

United Van Lines is here to make your move easier. Our moving blog and our digital moving magazine House Key have all the latest tips, from the best ways to pack your belongings to how to help your family settle in after the move. We also offer moving guides to popular U.S. cities and states. 

Since 1928, we’ve helped millions of families move to new home cities across the country. High customer satisfaction ratings have made United Van Lines is America’s #1 Mover®.  

Get a moving quote for Shreveport, LA, now.