Shreveport LA vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Shreveport
183,483
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Shreveport
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Shreveport
37.5
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Shreveport
2.6%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Shreveport
36.5%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Shreveport
1.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Shreveport
3.9%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Shreveport
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,483 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 2.6% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 36.5% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 56.1% | 9.7% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Shreveport
$48,465
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Shreveport
$33,788
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Shreveport
$55,297
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Shreveport
8.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Shreveport
23.6%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Shreveport
27.5%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,465 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,788 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.6% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Shreveport
53.8%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $146,463 | $204,104 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
643
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Shreveport
2824
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
43.1%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
17.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Shreveport
20.1%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Shreveport
19.1%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.1% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.1% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.4% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Shreveport
52.7 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Shreveport
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Shreveport
20.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Shreveport, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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