City Comparison

Lakewood vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lakewood

Colorado
133
Expensive
$574,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$83,800
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

58.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 58.3%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to $47,368 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
188
Lakewood
54
Shreveport
Groceries
101
Lakewood
98
Shreveport
Utilities
85
Lakewood
91
Shreveport
Transportation
114
Lakewood
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
84
Lakewood
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $47,368 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $118,750 in Lakewood.

Living in Lakewood vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $170,000. The $404,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $51,429 respectively. Lakewood residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 134 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 58.3% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 133.
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $47,368 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Lakewood's housing index is 188 with median homes at $574,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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