Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 56% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Shreveport?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Shreveport?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Boston vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$1,000/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,000 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 56% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 49% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$756

+60% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$843

+57% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$978

+55% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,136

+49% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$178,100

+75% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$48,465

+49% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$44,820

+33% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

37.5 yr

+4.3 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

35.4%

53.8%

+18.4 pp in Shreveport, LA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

27.5%

+26.6 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

19.0 min

+11.2 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

1,235.4

+96% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

2,030.8

4,048.2

+99% in Shreveport, LA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

65.5°F

+14.0°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

51.0 in

+7.2 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

14.2

+51% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$16.62

+47% in Boston, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Boston, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

Average prices — Northeast vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / LA)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

3.00%

+6.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 56% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Shreveport?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).