City Comparison

Shreveport vs Worcester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Shreveport

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

Worcester

Massachusetts
125
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$52,228
Median Income

The Verdict

32.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.8%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to $111,607 in Worcester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
54
Shreveport
152
Worcester
Groceries
98
Shreveport
106
Worcester
Utilities
91
Shreveport
122
Worcester
Transportation
96
Shreveport
103
Worcester
Healthcare
93
Shreveport
115
Worcester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has the same purchasing power as $111,607 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $50,400 in Shreveport.

Living in Shreveport vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Shreveport's housing index of 54 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $340,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Shreveport compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Shreveport and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Shreveport vs $504/month in Worcester. Shreveport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Shreveport and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Shreveport vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,429 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 32.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 125.
A $75,000 salary in Shreveport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $111,607 in Worcester, based on the cost of living difference.
Shreveport's housing index is 54 with median homes at $170,000, while Worcester's is 152 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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