Shreveport LA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 149,519 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.6 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 36.5% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 56.1% | 4.8% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $422,520 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.9% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 32.8 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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