City Comparison

Shreveport vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Shreveport

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

18.4%

Shreveport is 18.4% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Shreveport would need approximately $91,964 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
54
Shreveport
105
Surprise
Groceries
98
Shreveport
100
Surprise
Utilities
91
Shreveport
102
Surprise
Transportation
96
Shreveport
106
Surprise
Healthcare
93
Shreveport
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has the same purchasing power as $91,964 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $61,165 in Shreveport.

Living in Shreveport vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $419,000. The $249,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,188 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $408 in Surprise. 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 93 in Shreveport and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 18.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,964 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Shreveport's housing index is 54 with median homes at $170,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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