Shreveport LA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 36.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 56.1% | 18.9% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $427,121 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.6% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.0 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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