CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Shreveport, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Shreveport
84.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Shreveport is significantly cheaper than Bellingham — 17.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $65,700 in Shreveport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing53.7%
Bellingham
112.9
Shreveport
52.3
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Bellingham
105
Shreveport
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Bellingham
104.4
Shreveport
100.5
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Bellingham
94.5
Shreveport
90.9
Utilities27.3%
Bellingham
99.9
Shreveport
72.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Shreveport, LA
$65,700
$14,300 less needed in Shreveport

Formula: salary × (84.8 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8209. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bellingham, WA

Median Home Price
$598,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
112.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.6×

Shreveport, LA

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

Bellingham has 53.7% lower housing costs compared to Shreveport.

Income & Job Market

Bellingham, WA

Median Household Income
$74,900
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
92,314
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingTourism

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).

Bellingham, WA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Shreveport, LA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

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.