City Comparison

Lincoln vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska
93
Below Average
$264,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$71,900
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

10.7%

Living in Shreveport costs 10.7% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $67,742 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
54
Shreveport
Groceries
98
Lincoln
98
Shreveport
Utilities
93
Lincoln
91
Shreveport
Transportation
97
Lincoln
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $67,742 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $83,036 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $170,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $51,429 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Lincoln, 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 Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,742 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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