City Comparison

Shreveport vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Shreveport

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

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$52,600
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Shreveport costs 0.0% less than Winston-Salem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Shreveport, you would need $75,000 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
54
Shreveport
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
98
Shreveport
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
91
Shreveport
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
96
Shreveport
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
93
Shreveport
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $75,000 in Shreveport.

Living in Shreveport vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $250,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Shreveport and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Shreveport's housing index is 54 with median homes at $170,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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