City Comparison

Rio Rancho vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rio Rancho

New Mexico
95
Below Average
$337,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$85,800
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

13.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to $66,316 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Rio Rancho
54
Shreveport
Groceries
97
Rio Rancho
98
Shreveport
Utilities
84
Rio Rancho
91
Shreveport
Transportation
92
Rio Rancho
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
99
Rio Rancho
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has the same purchasing power as $66,316 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $84,821 in Rio Rancho.

Living in Rio Rancho vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Rio Rancho's housing index of 91 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $337,000 vs $170,000. The $167,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Rio Rancho compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Rio Rancho and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Rio Rancho 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 84 in Rio Rancho and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Rio Rancho vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Rio Rancho 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 $85,800 in Rio Rancho and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,316 and $51,429 respectively. Rio Rancho residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,002/month to housing in Rio Rancho vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Rio Rancho, 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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 13.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,316 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Rio Rancho's housing index is 91 with median homes at $337,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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