Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Provo or Shreveport?

Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Provo vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Provo, UT versus $990 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 23% higher in Provo, UT. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Provo, UT

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,009

$756

+25% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$978

$843

+14% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,128

$978

+13% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,136

+18% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$437,100

$178,100

+59% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,800

$48,465

+23% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,010

$44,820

+7% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

23.7 yr

37.5 yr

+13.8 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

39.9%

53.8%

+13.9 pp in Shreveport, LA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.0%

27.5%

+17.5 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.5 min

19.0 min

+0.5 min in Shreveport, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

205.7

1,235.4

+501% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

1,280.6

4,048.2

+216% 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

53.4°F

65.5°F

+12.1°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

19.8 in

51.0 in

+31.2 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

13.5

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.84

$16.62

+40% in Shreveport, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (UT / LA)

6.1%

+1.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

3.00%

+1.5 pp in UT

Provo vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or Shreveport?: Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).