Providence vs Shreveport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Providence
Shreveport
The Verdict
Shreveport is 31.0% less expensive than Providence overall. A household earning $75,000 in Providence would need approximately $57,273 in Shreveport to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Providence has the same purchasing power as $57,273 in Shreveport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $98,214 in Providence.
Living in Providence vs Shreveport
Housing Costs
Providence's housing index of 118 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $170,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Providence compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Providence and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Providence 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 119 in Providence and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Providence 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 Providence 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 $47,012 in Providence and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,738 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 $1,097/month to housing in Providence vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/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 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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