Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 183,483 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 2.6% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 36.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.5% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Shreveport
$48,465
Shreveport +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $48,465 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $55,297 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 23.6% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 27.5% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 643 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2824 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 43.1% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.6% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.1% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 19.1% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 52.7 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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