Shreveport LA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 107,699 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 36.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 56.1% | 42.8% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $31,324 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 23.8% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $231,461 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 45.1% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 42.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 21.3% | Shreveport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.1% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Shreveport +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | 55.0 in | Shreveport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Shreveport, LALos Angeles, CA vs Shreveport, LAChicago, IL vs Shreveport, LAHouston, TX vs Shreveport, LAPhoenix, AZ vs Shreveport, LAPhiladelphia, PA vs Shreveport, LA