Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 183,483 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 2.6% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 36.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 1.5% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.9% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $48,465 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $33,788 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $55,297 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 23.6% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 27.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 643 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2824 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Shreveport
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 43.1% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 17.6% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.1% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.6% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 19.1% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 52.7 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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