City Comparison

Newark vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newark

New Jersey
121
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$40,014
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

44.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 44.0%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to $52,066 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
149
Newark
54
Shreveport
Groceries
103
Newark
98
Shreveport
Utilities
118
Newark
91
Shreveport
Transportation
115
Newark
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
105
Newark
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newark has the same purchasing power as $52,066 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $108,036 in Newark.

Living in Newark vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Newark's housing index of 149 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 Newark compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Newark and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Newark 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 118 in Newark and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Newark 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 105 in Newark 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 $40,014 in Newark and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,069 and $51,429 respectively. Shreveport residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $934/month to housing in Newark vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Newark, median rent of $1,400/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 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 44.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 121.
A $75,000 salary in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,066 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Newark's housing index is 149 with median homes at $340,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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