CostIndexUSA

Reading, PA vs Shreveport, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Shreveport
84.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Shreveport is moderately cheaper than Reading — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Reading, you would need $69,900 in Shreveport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.8%
Reading
85.4
Shreveport
52.3
🛒 Groceries7.0%
Reading
100.7
Shreveport
93.7
🚗 Transportation2.0%
Reading
102.6
Shreveport
100.5
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Reading
92.8
Shreveport
90.9
Utilities32.9%
Reading
108.2
Shreveport
72.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Shreveport, LA
$69,900
$10,100 less needed in Shreveport

Formula: salary × (84.8 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 0.8733. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Reading, PA

Median Home Price
$299,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
85.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Shreveport, LA

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

Reading has 38.8% lower housing costs compared to Shreveport.

Income & Job Market

Reading, PA

Median Household Income
$75,700
Per Capita Income
$43,100
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
95,112
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationLogistics

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).

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.