City Comparison

Huntsville vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

8.3%

Living in Shreveport costs 8.3% less than Huntsville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Huntsville, you would need $69,231 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
79
Huntsville
54
Shreveport
Groceries
96
Huntsville
98
Shreveport
Utilities
91
Huntsville
91
Shreveport
Transportation
98
Huntsville
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
93
Huntsville
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has the same purchasing power as $69,231 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $81,250 in Huntsville.

Living in Huntsville vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Huntsville's housing index of 79 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $170,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Huntsville compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Huntsville and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Huntsville 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 91 in Huntsville and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Huntsville vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Huntsville 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 $56,098 in Huntsville and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,646 and $51,429 respectively. Huntsville 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 Huntsville vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 8.3% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,231 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Huntsville's housing index is 79 with median homes at $260,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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