Cost of Living in Shreveport, LA
Updated November 2026 · Caddo Parish · Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area · population 180,982
Prices in Shreveport are 13.3% below the US average (local index 86.7; the BEA index for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area is 84.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 50.8; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,183 a month and the median rent is $987.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Shreveport's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area, unchanged.
Shreveport price index by category, US average = 100: All items 86.7, Housing (rents) 50.8, Goods 93.7, Utilities 72.6, Other services 95.7
It is the 8th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 99% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.8 | 88.9 | 90.5 | 88.8 | 87.4 | 84.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Shreveport, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $655 | $7,860 | 30% |
| Utilities | $223 | $2,676 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 12% |
| Transportation | $547 | $6,564 | 25% |
| Health care | $336 | $4,032 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,183 | $26,196 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Shreveport, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $768 | $9,216 | 21% |
| Utilities | $351 | $4,212 | 10% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,082 | $12,984 | 30% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $311 | $3,732 | 9% |
| Total | $3,623 | $43,476 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Shreveport, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $900 | $10,800 | 20% |
| Utilities | $427 | $5,124 | 10% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,439 | $17,268 | 32% |
| Health care | $581 | $6,972 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $400 | $4,800 | 9% |
| Total | $4,443 | $53,316 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Shreveport
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $787 |
| 1 bedroom | $840 |
| 2 bedrooms | $985 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,153 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,282 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $987 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $770 |
| Median home value | $178,900 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,431/mo |
| Median household income | $48,699 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 34.2% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.7× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Louisiana
12.87¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 12.55¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,211 kWh a month in Louisiana ≈ $158/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Louisiana is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Shreveport are 13.3% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $69,200 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 86.7. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bossier City, LA | 9 mi | 87.9 | $2,225 | $1,107 |
| Longview, TX | 57 mi | 90.4 | $2,344 | $1,101 |
| Tyler, TX | 89 mi | 92.1 | $2,426 | $1,252 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph, MO | 86.7 | $2,104 | $898 |
| Ada, OK | 86.7 | $1,980 | $894 |
| Waterloo, IA | 86.8 | $2,049 | $923 |
| Enid, OK | 86.8 | $2,108 | $914 |
| Sioux City, IA | 86.6 | $2,222 | $976 |
| Spirit Lake, IA | 86.6 | $2,234 | $911 |
Compare Shreveport with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Shreveport, LA an expensive place to live?
Shreveport has a local cost of living index of 86.7, which is 13.3% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area (84.8) and adjusts housing to Shreveport's own rents. It is 1.5 points below the Louisiana average. It is the 8th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 99% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Shreveport?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,183 for a single adult, $3,623 for a couple and $4,443 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $52,000 in Shreveport.
What is the average rent in Shreveport?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $987 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $840, 2 bedrooms $985, 3 bedrooms $1,153. The typical renter spends 34.2% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Shreveport?
The median owner-estimated home value is $178,900, 3.7 times the median household income of $48,699 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,431 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Shreveport?
Louisiana residential electricity averaged 12.87¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 84.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2270000 (Shreveport city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Louisiana residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources