Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Shreveport?

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

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Shreveport?

Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).

Rutland vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT versus $990 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $55,000 in Rutland, VT and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 12% higher in Rutland, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rutland, VT

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$893

$756

+15% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$856

$843

+2% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,097

$978

+11% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,207

$1,136

+6% in Rutland, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$176,400

$178,100

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Income

Median Household Income

$55,000

$48,465

+12% in Rutland, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$44,820

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

48.5 yr

37.5 yr

+11.0 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

52.7%

53.8%

+1.1 pp in Shreveport, LA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.2%

27.5%

+4.7 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

14.7 min

19.0 min

+4.3 min in Shreveport, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

487.8

1,235.4

+153% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

3,973.3

4,048.2

+2% 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

44.6°F

65.5°F

+20.9°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

51.0 in

+10.5 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.4

13.5

+45% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$16.62

+36% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / LA)

+1.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

3.00%

+5.8 pp in VT

Rutland vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rutland than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Shreveport?: Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).