Shreveport LA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 126,103 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 36.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 56.1% | 9.7% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $33,290 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $193,522 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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