CostIndexUSA

Salem, OR vs Shreveport, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Shreveport
84.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Shreveport is significantly cheaper than Salem — 18.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salem, you would need $65,500 in Shreveport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing52.6%
Salem
110.3
Shreveport
52.3
🛒 Groceries11.0%
Salem
105.3
Shreveport
93.7
🚗 Transportation4.6%
Salem
105.3
Shreveport
100.5
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Salem
95.3
Shreveport
90.9
Utilities30.7%
Salem
104.7
Shreveport
72.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Shreveport, LA
$65,500
$14,500 less needed in Shreveport

Formula: salary × (84.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8185. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Shreveport, LA

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

Salem has 52.6% lower housing costs compared to Shreveport.

Income & Job Market

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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).

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.