Shreveport vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Shreveport
Wilmington
The Verdict
Living in Shreveport costs 19.2% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Shreveport, you would need $92,857 in Wilmington.
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 $92,857 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $60,577 in Shreveport.
Living in Shreveport vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $235,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $424 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,200 in Shreveport and $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $44,731 respectively. Shreveport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,008/month to housing in Shreveport vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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