Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Shreveport?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD versus $1,000 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 49% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$756

+54% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$843

+41% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$978

+41% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,136

+39% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$178,100

+51% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$48,465

+49% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$44,820

+37% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

37.5 yr

+0.4 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

59.2%

53.8%

+5.4 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

27.5%

+14.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

19.0 min

+11.1 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

1,235.4

+204% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

1,696.3

4,048.2

+139% 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

52.1°F

65.5°F

+13.4°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

—

51.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Frederick, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.2

+35% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$16.62

+12% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / LA)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.00%

+3.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Shreveport?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).