City Comparison

Shreveport vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Shreveport

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

South Bend

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$173,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$48,200
Median Income

The Verdict

5.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.0%, with South Bend being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to $71,429 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
54
Shreveport
50
South Bend
Groceries
98
Shreveport
97
South Bend
Utilities
91
Shreveport
94
South Bend
Transportation
96
Shreveport
102
South Bend
Healthcare
93
Shreveport
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has the same purchasing power as $71,429 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $78,750 in Shreveport.

Living in Shreveport vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Shreveport's housing index of 54 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $173,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $461/month in South Bend. 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 91 in Shreveport and 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $376 in South Bend. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Shreveport and 88 in South Bend. 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 $43,200 in Shreveport and $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $60,250 respectively. South Bend residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,008/month to housing in Shreveport vs $1,125/month in South Bend. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,429 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Shreveport's housing index is 54 with median homes at $170,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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