City Comparison

Baltimore vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baltimore

Maryland
106
Above Average
$200,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$52,164
Median Income

Shreveport

Louisiana
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,200
Median Income

The Verdict

26.2%

Living in Shreveport costs 26.2% less than Baltimore. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $59,434 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
107
Baltimore
54
Shreveport
Groceries
103
Baltimore
98
Shreveport
Utilities
110
Baltimore
91
Shreveport
Transportation
106
Baltimore
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
101
Baltimore
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $94,643 in Baltimore.

Living in Baltimore vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Baltimore's housing index of 107 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $200,000 vs $170,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Baltimore compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Baltimore and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Baltimore vs $466/month in Shreveport. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Baltimore and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Baltimore vs $364 in Shreveport. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Baltimore and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,164 in Baltimore and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,211 and $51,429 respectively. Shreveport residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,217/month to housing in Baltimore vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Baltimore, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 26.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,434 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Baltimore's housing index is 107 with median homes at $200,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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