Shreveport vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Shreveport
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Shreveport costs 29.4% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Shreveport, you would need $106,250 in Sparks.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has the same purchasing power as $106,250 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $52,941 in Shreveport.
Living in Shreveport vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $500,000. The $330,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $489/month in Sparks. 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 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Shreveport and 88 in Sparks. 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 $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $56,471 respectively. Sparks 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 $1,568/month in Sparks. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 108 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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