City Comparison

Louisville vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

8.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.3%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to $69,231 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Louisville
54
Shreveport
Groceries
96
Louisville
98
Shreveport
Utilities
91
Louisville
91
Shreveport
Transportation
100
Louisville
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
93
Louisville
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Louisville vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Louisville's housing index of 77 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $170,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Louisville 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 $52,238 in Louisville and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 and $51,429 respectively. Louisville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,219/month to housing in Louisville vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/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 8.3% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,231 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Louisville's housing index is 77 with median homes at $210,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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