City Comparison

Chesapeake vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chesapeake

Virginia
104
Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,550/mo
Median Rent
$94,200
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

23.8%

Shreveport is 23.8% less expensive than Chesapeake overall. A household earning $75,000 in Chesapeake would need approximately $60,577 in Shreveport to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Chesapeake
54
Shreveport
Groceries
102
Chesapeake
98
Shreveport
Utilities
105
Chesapeake
91
Shreveport
Transportation
100
Chesapeake
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
97
Chesapeake
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $60,577 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $92,857 in Chesapeake.

Living in Chesapeake vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $170,000. The $215,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake 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 105 in Chesapeake and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake 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 97 in Chesapeake 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 $94,200 in Chesapeake and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $51,429 respectively. Chesapeake residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,198/month to housing in Chesapeake vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/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 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 23.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,577 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Chesapeake's housing index is 120 with median homes at $385,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases