Shreveport vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Shreveport
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 1.2% less than Shreveport. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Shreveport, you would need $74,107 in Waco.
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 $74,107 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $75,904 in Shreveport.
Living in Shreveport vs Waco
Housing Costs
Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $230,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $451/month in Waco. 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 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Shreveport and 93 in Waco. 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 $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $59,639 respectively. Waco 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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