Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 2.6% | Roanoke + |
| White | 57.5% | 36.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.5% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 3.9% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $48,465 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $33,788 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $55,297 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.6% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 27.5% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 643 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2824 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 43.1% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.1% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.1% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 52.7 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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