Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Shreveport, LA
🏆 Modesto leads 12 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Shreveport
Louisiana
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$45,967
Violent Crime Index
323⚠ High
Population
186,183
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $27,408 more per year on average
47% less violent crime than Shreveport
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (7.8%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
Pros
Homes cost $213k less ($168,900 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $552/mo less ($945 vs $1,497)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 87.1)
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $27,408/yr
Violent crime (1228.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3990.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 7.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$27,408
$73,375 vs $45,967/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
47% lower
655.7 vs 1228.5 per 100k
Modesto
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
7.8% vs 9.2% unemployment
Shreveport
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 87.1 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Shreveport
Median Home Value
$213k less
$168,900 vs $381,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Shreveport, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 87.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $168,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $945 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $45,967 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 4.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 270⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 323⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 26.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 87.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Caddo Parish |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 58.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 94.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 186,183 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 23.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 17.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Shreveport's 87.1 (US average = 100).
Shreveport is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 12 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 12 and Shreveport wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Modesto to Shreveport or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $168,900 median home), income ($73,375 vs $45,967), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Shreveport, LA are about 1,574 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.