Is it cheaper to live in Shreveport or Spokane?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Shreveport versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Shreveport or Spokane?

Shreveport is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Shreveport vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Shreveport

Louisiana

$1,000/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,000 in Shreveport, LA versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,465 in Shreveport, LA and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 26% higher in Spokane, WA. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Shreveport, LA

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$756

$884

+17% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$843

$903

+7% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$978

$1,192

+22% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,136

$1,442

+27% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$178,100

$326,200

+83% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$48,465

$65,745

+36% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$44,820

$54,660

+22% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.5 yr

37.2 yr

+0.3 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

53.8%

58.3%

+4.5 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.5%

32.6%

+5.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

19.0 min

21.2 min

+2.2 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,235.4

683.6

+45% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

4,048.2

4,931.8

+22% in Spokane, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.5°F

48.9°F

+16.6°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

51.0 in

17.8 in

+33.2 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$20.41

+23% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Shreveport, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

None

+3.0 pp in LA

Shreveport vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Shreveport or Spokane?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Shreveport than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Shreveport versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Shreveport or Spokane?: Shreveport is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).