Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Shreveport, LA (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Shreveport

Louisiana
65

Knoxville is 14% more expensive than Shreveport.

$1,116/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$980/mo ↓ 12%
$50,994/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$48,465/yr ↓ 5%
$214,000 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$178,100 ↓ 17%
$1,075/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$984/mo ↓ 8%
193,721
Population
183,483

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Shreveport, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $136/month cheaper in Shreveport, saving renters about $1,632/year.

Median household income is $2,529/year higher in Knoxville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $178,100 in Shreveport.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Shreveport — common questions

Is Knoxville or Shreveport cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Shreveport is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Shreveport?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Shreveport it's $980/month — a difference of $136/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Shreveport?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $48,465 in Shreveport. Median household income is $2,529/year higher in Knoxville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Louisiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Shreveport?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/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 Knoxville details → View Shreveport details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Knoxville and Shreveport

Knoxville vs. Peoria Knoxville vs. Vancouver Knoxville vs. Huntington Beach Knoxville vs. Glendale Knoxville vs. Overland Park Knoxville vs. Providence Shreveport vs. Newport News Shreveport vs. Fort Lauderdale Shreveport vs. Mobile Shreveport vs. Chattanooga Shreveport vs. Paradise Shreveport vs. Aurora