Philadelphia vs Shreveport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia
Shreveport
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.2%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Philadelphia has equivalent purchasing power to $59,434 in Shreveport.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Philadelphia has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Shreveport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $94,643 in Philadelphia.
Living in Philadelphia vs Shreveport
Housing Costs
Philadelphia's housing index of 107 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $170,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Philadelphia compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Philadelphia and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Philadelphia 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 113 in Philadelphia and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Philadelphia 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 101 in Philadelphia 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $46,346 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 $1,146/month to housing in Philadelphia vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Philadelphia, 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 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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