CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Shreveport, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Shreveport
84.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Shreveport is significantly cheaper than Modesto — 18.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $65,200 in Shreveport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing51.8%
Modesto
108.5
Shreveport
52.3
🛒 Groceries10.9%
Modesto
105.2
Shreveport
93.7
🚗 Transportation4.6%
Modesto
105.3
Shreveport
100.5
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Modesto
95.3
Shreveport
90.9
Utilities52.3%
Modesto
152.3
Shreveport
72.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Modesto to see what you'd need to earn in Shreveport to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Shreveport, LA
$65,200
$14,800 less needed in Shreveport

Formula: salary × (84.8 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.8146. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Shreveport, LA

Median Home Price
$171,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
52.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Modesto has 51.8% lower housing costs compared to Shreveport.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Shreveport, LA

Median Household Income
$54,900
Per Capita Income
$31,300
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
187,593
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingMilitary

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Shreveport, LA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.