Shreveport, LA, known as "The Port City," offers a unique blend of southern charm and vibrant urban living. Located in the northwestern part of Louisiana, Shreveport is approximately 180 miles east of Dallas, TX, and 220 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. This medium-sized city is known for its beautiful riverfront, historic districts, and lively entertainment scene, making it a desirable place to live.
Shreveport's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Riverfront Park and the expansive Betty Virginia Park, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Shreveport is vibrant, with attractions like the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, the Sci-Port Discovery Center, and the historic Strand Theatre. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Red River Revel Arts Festival and the Mudbug Madness Festival, celebrating the city's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Shreveport, with institutions like Louisiana State University Shreveport and Centenary College of Louisiana providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Shreveport an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Willis-Knighton Health System, also supports a strong job market.
Living in Shreveport combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of southern hospitality. Residents enjoy access to top-notch healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its cultural richness, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, Shreveport offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Shreveport is a mid-sized city located in the state of Louisiana. The city has a population of 189,890 people. Shreveport is mostly populated by White (37%) and Black or African American (57%) ethnic groups. Shreveport is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 46%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Shreveport will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Living in Shreveport can be a good experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Louisiana, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Shreveport and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Shreveport to Louisiana and the national average.
Shreveport, LA receives 59 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #235 in Louisiana and #18,118 in the USA. This score ranks well below the United States average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Shreveport has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Shreveport does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Shreveport has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Shreveport real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Shreveport. The median home price for Shreveport homes is $151,700, which is 2.3% higher than the Louisiana average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Shreveport, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 12.1% higher than the Louisiana average.
| Statistic | Shreveport | Louisiana | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.1% | 82.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.8% | 9.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.6% | 1.3% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.2% | 2.6% | 4.6% |
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