City Comparison

Rochester vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rochester

Minnesota
94
Below Average
$345,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$91,500
Median Income

Shreveport

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

The Verdict

11.9%

Living in Shreveport costs 11.9% less than Rochester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rochester, you would need $67,021 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Rochester
54
Shreveport
Groceries
103
Rochester
98
Shreveport
Utilities
102
Rochester
91
Shreveport
Transportation
102
Rochester
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
104
Rochester
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rochester has the same purchasing power as $67,021 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $83,929 in Rochester.

Living in Rochester vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Rochester's housing index of 95 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $345,000 vs $170,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Rochester compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Rochester and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Rochester 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 102 in Rochester and 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Rochester 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 104 in Rochester and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $91,500 in Rochester and $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,340 and $51,429 respectively. Rochester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,135/month to housing in Rochester vs $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 11.9% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 94.
A $75,000 salary in Rochester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,021 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Rochester's housing index is 95 with median homes at $345,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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