Athens GA vs Shreveport LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 2.6% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 36.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $48,465 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 23.6% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 27.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 43.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 52.7 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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