CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Shreveport, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Shreveport
84.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Shreveport is significantly cheaper than Baltimore — 18.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $64,900 in Shreveport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing−55.8%
Baltimore
118.2
Shreveport
52.3
🛒 Groceries−8.5%
Baltimore
102.4
Shreveport
93.7
🚗 Transportation−5.7%
Baltimore
106.6
Shreveport
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−5.7%
Baltimore
96.4
Shreveport
90.9
⚡ Utilities−34.1%
Baltimore
110.2
Shreveport
72.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Shreveport to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Shreveport, LA
$64,900
$15,100 less needed in Shreveport

Formula: salary × (84.8 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.8115. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Shreveport, LA

Median Home Price
$171,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
52.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Baltimore has 55.8% lower housing costs compared to Shreveport.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Shreveport, LA

Median Household Income
$54,900
Per Capita Income
$31,300
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
187,593
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingMilitary

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Shreveport, LA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Baltimore vs other cities

Baltimore, MD
vs
Hagerstown, MD
Index: 104.5Index: 94.2
Baltimore, MD
vs
Milwaukee, WI
Index: 104.5Index: 96.9
Baltimore, MD
vs
Albuquerque, NM
Index: 104.5Index: 95.5
Baltimore, MD
vs
Tucson, AZ
Index: 104.5Index: 96.9
Baltimore, MD
vs
Fresno, CA
Index: 104.5Index: 102.2

Shreveport vs other cities

Shreveport, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 84.8Index: 90.8
Shreveport, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 84.8Index: 87.2
Shreveport, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 84.8Index: 85.9
Shreveport, LA
vs
Mobile, AL
Index: 84.8Index: 88.1
Shreveport, LA
vs
Newport News, VA
Index: 84.8Index: 97.9

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.