Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Shreveport?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,330 in Cranston, RI versus $990 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 45% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

—

$756

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$843

+18% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$978

+32% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,136

+33% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$178,100

+49% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$48,465

+45% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$44,820

+17% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

37.5 yr

+2.6 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

53.8%

+13.5 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

27.5%

+8.3 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

19.0 min

+4.8 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

1,235.4

+1227% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

1,065.4

4,048.2

+280% 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

51.6°F

65.5°F

+13.9°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

51.0 in

+3.8 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Cranston, RI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

13.5

+54% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$16.62

+35% in Cranston, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cranston, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / LA)

+2.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

3.00%

+3.0 pp in RI

Cranston vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Shreveport?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).