City Comparison

Madison vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

26.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 26.2%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $59,434 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
54
Shreveport
Groceries
101
Madison
98
Shreveport
Utilities
97
Madison
91
Shreveport
Transportation
103
Madison
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
105
Madison
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $94,643 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $170,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 97 in Madison and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,565 in Madison and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $51,429 respectively. Madison residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 26.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,434 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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