Shreveport LA vs Sparks NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 56.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $530,668 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.8% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 18.7% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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