3/3 c.1930 Louisiana Foursquare $199,900

Pros

• Affordable housing. The Census puts the median owner-occupied home value around $178,900 and median gross rent around $987, well below national figures.
• Lower cost of living. The city estimates overall living costs at roughly 7% below the national average.
• More amenities than a small Louisiana town. You’re getting a city of roughly 176,000 people, with hospitals, shopping, restaurants, museums, entertainment, universities, an airport, and professional services.
• Good healthcare presence. Shreveport is a regional medical center, which is a significant advantage compared with smaller towns in northern Louisiana.
• Decent restaurant/entertainment scene. You have places such as Orlandeaux’s Café, Marilynn’s Place and Fat Calf Brasserie, plus casinos and entertainment across the Shreveport-Bossier area.
• Outdoor recreation. There are numerous parks, lakes and access to the Red River. Southern Hills Park & Community Center and East Kings Highway Park are examples.
• Cultural attractions. R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Sci-Port Discovery Center and the Shreveport Aquarium give the city considerably more to do than most smaller Louisiana communities.
• Short commutes. The Census reports an average commute of only 18.8 minutes.
• Regional location. You’re within reasonable driving distance of Dallas, Little Rock, and southern Arkansas/East Texas, while Shreveport itself has an airport with several nonstop destinations.
• Job base is broader than small-town Louisiana. Healthcare, education, government, manufacturing, construction, transportation and hospitality are all significant parts of the regional economy. Recent BLS data shows particularly strong year-over-year growth in construction, manufacturing and education/health services.
• Diversity. Shreveport has a very diverse population, with the 2025 Census estimate showing approximately 56% Black and 36% White residents

Cons

• Crime is the biggest downside. Shreveport’s crime rates are considerably higher than national averages, particularly for violent crime, burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Niche currently gives it a D- for crime & safety.
• Neighborhood quality varies dramatically. This is important: I wouldn’t judge Shreveport entirely by the citywide crime numbers. Where you live can make a substantial difference.
• Population decline. Shreveport fell from about 199,000 people in 2010 to an estimated 176,000 in 2025. That’s roughly an 11–12% decline over 15 years.
• Economic challenges. Median household income is about $48,700, and the city’s poverty rate is 23.5%.
• Job market isn’t exceptional. Niche rates jobs C-, although the broader Shreveport-Bossier labor market has some growing sectors.
• Schools are mixed. There are some very good schools, including Caddo Parish Magnet and C.E. Byrd, but the overall public-school picture isn’t uniformly strong.
• Hot, humid summers. If you don’t like Gulf-South weather, July/August can be rough.
• Infrastructure can be frustrating. Roads, drainage, water-system issues and aging infrastructure have been ongoing city concerns.
• Some parts of town feel economically depressed. Vacant properties and blight are noticeable in certain areas, particularly away from the stronger neighborhoods.
• It’s not a major metro. If you’re coming from Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, etc., you’ll notice fewer high-end shopping, dining, cultural and employment options.