City Comparison

Manchester vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

40.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 40.5%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to $53,390 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
54
Shreveport
Groceries
105
Manchester
98
Shreveport
Utilities
114
Manchester
91
Shreveport
Transportation
100
Manchester
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
112
Manchester
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $53,390 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $105,357 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $170,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $466/month in Shreveport. Shreveport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $364 in Shreveport. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 112 in Manchester and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,018 in Manchester and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 and $51,429 respectively. Manchester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 40.5% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,390 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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