City Comparison

Montpelier vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

39.3%

Living in Shreveport costs 39.3% less than Montpelier. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montpelier, you would need $53,846 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Montpelier
54
Shreveport
Groceries
104
Montpelier
98
Shreveport
Utilities
123
Montpelier
91
Shreveport
Transportation
107
Montpelier
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
107
Montpelier
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $53,846 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $104,464 in Montpelier.

Living in Montpelier vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $170,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $466/month in Shreveport. Shreveport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier 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 107 in Montpelier and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $82,600 in Montpelier and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $51,429 respectively. Montpelier residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Montpelier, 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 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 39.3% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,846 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Montpelier's housing index is 131 with median homes at $375,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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