City Comparison

Champaign vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

3.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.6%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to $77,778 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Champaign
54
Shreveport
Groceries
98
Champaign
98
Shreveport
Utilities
106
Champaign
91
Shreveport
Transportation
99
Champaign
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
90
Champaign
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $72,321 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $170,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign 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 90 in Champaign 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 $56,100 in Champaign and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $51,429 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,778 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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