Cost of Living in Shreveport, LA
Shreveport is about 27% cheaper than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Shreveport at a Glance
On the median income of $50,291, state income tax is roughly $1,509/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Shreveport is the largest city in northwest Louisiana, sitting on the Red River near the Texas and Arkansas borders. The cost of living is about 16.5% below the national average, with housing running 37.5% below. The median home at roughly $145,000 is among the lowest of any city in America. The economy has historically relied on oil and gas, riverboat casinos, and Barksdale Air Force Base (home of the Air Force Global Strike Command). The city has struggled with population decline and economic contraction but retains a music heritage (Shreveport was home to the Louisiana Hayride, which launched Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash).
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Shreveport
The housing prices are almost impossibly low by national standards. A solid family home in a good neighborhood costs $150,000 to $250,000. The music heritage is genuine: the Municipal Auditorium where the Louisiana Hayride was broadcast is a National Historic Landmark. Barksdale Air Force Base provides stable military employment. The riverboat casinos, while controversial, create entertainment and hospitality jobs. Cross Lake, a 9,000-acre lake on the city's western edge, offers waterfront living and recreation. The food reflects Louisiana's Creole and Cajun traditions.
Neighborhoods
South Highlands and Broadmoor are the established affluent neighborhoods with character homes. The Highland neighborhood has restaurants and nightlife along Line Avenue. Shreveport's Pierremont area is upper-middle-class. Bossier City (across the river, separate municipality) has casinos and newer development. Cross Lake offers waterfront living. Southern Hills is a popular family choice. North Shreveport and parts of the inner city face the most significant challenges.
Things to Consider
Shreveport's population has declined by over 20% since 1980. The economy is narrow and struggling. Crime rates are above the national average, significantly so in some areas. The combined sales tax of 9.45% is very high. Louisiana's tax system is complex. Some neighborhoods face severe disinvestment. The cultural and dining scene, while better than the reputation suggests, is thin. The summer heat and humidity are extreme. The city is geographically distant from other Louisiana cultural centers (New Orleans is 5 hours away).
Frequently Asked Questions About Shreveport
Yes. The median home at $182,100 is roughly 40% of the national median. You can buy a substantial home in the South Highlands or Broadmoor neighborhoods for $200,000 to $350,000, prices that would buy a modest condo in many coastal cities. The trade-off is a struggling economy, declining population, and limited job market. For remote workers with stable incomes, the financial arbitrage is dramatic.
Oil and gas price cycles, deindustrialization, and competition from Dallas (3 hours east) have contracted the economic base. The riverboat casinos provided a boost in the 1990s and 2000s but have not been the transformative engine hoped for. Population has declined as younger workers move to Dallas, Houston, or other growing metros. Barksdale AFB provides stability but cannot replace the broader economic losses.
The Louisiana Hayride was a radio and television country music show broadcast from Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium from 1948 to 1960. It served as a launching pad for Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and dozens of other artists. It was considered the 'Cradle of the Stars' and rivaled Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. The Municipal Auditorium still stands and hosts events. This musical legacy gives Shreveport cultural significance beyond its current economic challenges.