City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

North Carolina
81
Very Affordable
$213,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,800
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

3.6%

Living in Fayetteville costs 3.6% less than Shreveport. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $77,778 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
54
Shreveport
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
98
Shreveport
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
91
Shreveport
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Fayetteville vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $170,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville 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 98 in Fayetteville and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $51,429 respectively. Fayetteville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,778 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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