Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 183,483 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 2.6% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 36.5% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.5% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 3.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $48,465 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $33,788 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $55,297 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 8.9% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 23.6% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 27.5% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 643 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2824 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 43.1% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 17.6% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 19.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Providence, RILos Angeles, CA vs Providence, RIChicago, IL vs Providence, RIHouston, TX vs Providence, RIPhoenix, AZ vs Providence, RIPhiladelphia, PA vs Providence, RI