Shreveport LA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 36.5% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 56.1% | 43.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $185,100 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 45.4% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 17.9% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.0 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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