Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Shreveport, LA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Shreveport

Louisiana
65

St. Louis and Shreveport have a similar cost of living.

$978/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$980/mo ≈ Same
$55,279/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$48,465/yr ↓ 12%
$185,100 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$178,100 ↓ 4%
$1,013/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$984/mo ↓ 3%
293,109
Population
183,483

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Shreveport, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $6,814/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $178,100 in Shreveport.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Shreveport slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Shreveport — common questions

Is St. Louis or Shreveport cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Shreveport is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Shreveport?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Shreveport it's $980/month — a difference of $2/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Shreveport?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $48,465 in Shreveport. Median household income is $6,814/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Louisiana?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Shreveport?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Shreveport details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Shreveport

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Shreveport vs. Newport News Shreveport vs. Fort Lauderdale Shreveport vs. Mobile Shreveport vs. Chattanooga Shreveport vs. Paradise Shreveport vs. Aurora