Shreveport LA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 36.5% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 56.1% | 43.3% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $580,173 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 41.1% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 24.0% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 32.8 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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