Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Shreveport, LA (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Shreveport

Louisiana
65

Houston is 35% more expensive than Shreveport.

$1,313/mo ↑ 34%
Median Rent
$980/mo ↓ 25%
$62,894/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$48,465/yr ↓ 23%
$253,400 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$178,100 ↓ 30%
$1,316/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$984/mo ↓ 25%
2,300,419
Population
183,483

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Shreveport, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $333/month cheaper in Shreveport, saving renters about $3,996/year.

Median household income is $14,429/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $178,100 in Shreveport.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Shreveport — common questions

Is Houston or Shreveport cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Shreveport is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Shreveport?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Shreveport it's $980/month — a difference of $333/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Shreveport?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $48,465 in Shreveport. Median household income is $14,429/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Shreveport?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Shreveport has a cost index of 65 with rent of $980/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Shreveport details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Shreveport

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