Huntsville vs Shreveport: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Huntsville, Alabama compare to Shreveport, Louisiana? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Shreveport is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 40% higher in Huntsville compared to Shreveport, while rent is 8% higher. State income tax is 5% in AL vs 4.25% in LA.
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Shreveport, LA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $236,300 | $168,900 | +39.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 | $945 | +7.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $67,874 | $45,967 | +47.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $43,202 | $32,291 | +33.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | +17.6% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.2% | 9.6% | -3.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 215,025 | 186,183 | +15.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Huntsville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Shreveport
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Huntsville costs $236,300 compared to $168,900 in Shreveport — a 40% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,020/mo in Huntsville vs $945/mo in Shreveport.
- Income: Median household income is $67,874 in Huntsville and $45,967 in Shreveport.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5% in Alabama vs 4.25% in Louisiana.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).