Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Shreveport
36.5%
Shreveport +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 183,483 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 2.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.5% | Shreveport + |
| Black | 22.9% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 3.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $48,465 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,788 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.9% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.6% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 27.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 43.1% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.6% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 52.7 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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