Shreveport LA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 141,925 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 36.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 56.1% | 20.4% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $28,819 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 24.0% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $196,465 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 48.9% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Shreveport +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 20.4% | Shreveport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.4% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.2% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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