Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 183,483 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 2.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 36.5% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.5% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 3.9% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $48,465 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $33,788 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.9% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 23.6% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 43.1% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 17.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.1% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 19.1% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 52.7 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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