Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Shreveport?

Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN versus $1,000 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,767 in Rochester, MN and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 45% higher in Rochester, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rochester, MN

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,080

$756

+30% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,106

$843

+24% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,243

$978

+21% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,646

$1,136

+31% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$287,500

$178,100

+38% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$87,767

$48,465

+45% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,620

$44,820

+26% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

37.5 yr

+1.1 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

65.4%

53.8%

+11.6 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

50.1%

27.5%

+22.6 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

17.2 min

19.0 min

+1.8 min in Shreveport, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

158.9

1,235.4

+677% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

1,379

4,048.2

+194% 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

45.4°F

65.5°F

+20.1°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

33.0 in

51.0 in

+17.9 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Rochester, MN

Area: Minnesota vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.9

14.2

+17% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.95

$16.62

+11% in Shreveport, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Shreveport, LA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / LA)

6.875%

+1.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.85%

3.00%

+6.8 pp in MN

Rochester vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Shreveport?: Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).