City Comparison

Shreveport vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Shreveport

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

7.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.7%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to $69,643 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
54
Shreveport
52
Springfield
Groceries
98
Shreveport
98
Springfield
Utilities
91
Shreveport
98
Springfield
Transportation
96
Shreveport
114
Springfield
Healthcare
93
Shreveport
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has the same purchasing power as $69,643 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $80,769 in Shreveport.

Living in Shreveport vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Shreveport's housing index of 54 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $162,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Shreveport and 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 7.7% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,643 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Shreveport's housing index is 54 with median homes at $170,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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