Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Shreveport?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Shreveport, LA's $990, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Shreveport?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Idaho Falls vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Idaho Falls, ID versus $990 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Shreveport, LA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 30% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$818

$756

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$827

$843

+2% in Shreveport, LA

2 Bedroom

$957

$978

+2% in Shreveport, LA

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,136

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$178,100

+40% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$48,465

+30% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$44,820

+4% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

37.5 yr

+4.0 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

64.1%

53.8%

+10.3 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

27.5%

+3.5 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Avg Commute

18.2 min

19.0 min

+0.8 min in Shreveport, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

1,235.4

+238% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

1,235.5

4,048.2

+228% 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

44.2°F

65.5°F

+21.3°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

51.0 in

+40.6 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

13.5

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$16.62

+47% in Shreveport, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / LA)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

3.00%

+2.3 pp in ID

Idaho Falls vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Shreveport?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Shreveport, LA's $990, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Shreveport?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).