Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Shreveport?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH versus $1,000 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 26% higher in Columbus, OH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$756

+25% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$843

+20% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$978

+23% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,136

+17% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$178,100

+24% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$48,465

+26% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$44,820

+13% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

37.5 yr

+4.5 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

44.3%

53.8%

+9.5 pp in Shreveport, LA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

27.5%

+10.7 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

19.0 min

+2.8 min in Columbus, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

1,235.4

+155% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

3,093.9

4,048.2

+31% 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

52.7°F

65.5°F

+12.8°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

51.0 in

+10.8 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.62/gal

+13% in Columbus, OH

Area: Ohio vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — COTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

14.2

+28% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$16.62

+27% in Columbus, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Columbus, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Shreveport, LA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / LA)

5.75%

+0.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

3.00%

+0.3 pp in LA

Columbus vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Shreveport?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).