Skyline of Shreveport
Cost of Living: 88 187,000

Shreveport, LA, US

Ark-La-Tex hub with casinos, the Louisiana Boardwalk, and a growing film industry.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Shreveport is a city in LA with a population of 187,000. Ark-La-Tex hub with casinos, the Louisiana Boardwalk, and a growing film industry. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 88

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 90

Affordable

Median Income $48,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Shreveport vs US Average

Cost of Living
Shreveport: 88
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Shreveport: 90
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Shreveport: 4%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.0%
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 187,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 38°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $180,000
  • 1BR Rent: $950/mo

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Cost of Living

Shreveport's cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100).

CategoryShreveportNational AverageDifference
Overall88100-12.0%
Housing90100-10.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$180,000
Median Rent (1BR)$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,188/mo
Price per Sq Ft$120

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Shreveport:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$79Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$40Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$15Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$269Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Shreveport scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88
Rent
$950
Sunny Days
215
Tax
4%
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
93°F / 38°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
187,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Shreveport has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January58°F38°F2.5"
April78°F53°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F56°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Shreveport faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

Red River flooding.

Hurricane High Risk

Inland effects from Gulf hurricanes.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4%
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.56% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Schools & Education

38/100
School Quality Score
Better than 33% of US cities
?
53
Total Schools
10.4:1
Student:Teacher
99.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#1618
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Shreveport is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.5%
Black or African American
56.0%
Hispanic or Latino
3.9%
Native American
0.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.3%
Two or more races
2.7%
White
35.4%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.5%
High school graduate
30.4%
Less than high school
12.7%
Some college
29.4%

Religion

Christian
80.0%
Other
5.0%
Unaffiliated
15.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Shreveport, LA, US?

The cost of living index in Shreveport is 88, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Shreveport?

The median home price in Shreveport is $180,000. The housing index is 90.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Shreveport is approximately $950/mo.

Does Shreveport, LA have income tax?

Shreveport is in LA, which has an income tax rate of 4%.

What is the climate like in Shreveport?

Shreveport enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.