Shreveport vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Shreveport
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.4%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to $91,964 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 $91,964 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $61,165 in Shreveport.
Living in Shreveport vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $320,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $480/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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases