Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Newark
16.5%
Shreveport
36.5%
Shreveport +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 183,483 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 2.6% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 36.5% | Shreveport + |
| Black | 46.7% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.5% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 3.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Shreveport
$48,465
Shreveport +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Shreveport
8.9%
Shreveport +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $48,465 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $55,297 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 8.9% | Shreveport + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 23.6% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 643 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2824 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 43.1% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 20.1% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 19.1% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 52.7 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Shreveport leads in median household income at $48,465, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Shreveport has a lower unemployment rate at 8.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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