Shreveport, Louisiana

What's the cost of living in Shreveport, LA?

Living in Shreveport is more affordable than in many other major metro areas. The cost of living in Shreveport is lower than both the Louisiana average and the national average. Residents tend to spend less than the average American on housing.

What's the best way to get around Shreveport, LA?

Most people rely on their cars to get around Shreveport. Because of its relatively small geographic size and extensive freeway system, Shreveport is easier to get around than other cities in Louisiana. The average commute is about 22 minutes by car.

The Shreveport Area Transit System, or SporTran, provides public bus service in the metro area with routes that run through downtown and nearby Bossier City. Multiple cab companies serve the city, and ride-sharing services are available. Shreveport is not bicycle-friendly, but city leaders are planning to make improvements that will benefit cyclists.

Shreveport has two airports: the larger Shreveport Regional Airport and the Shreveport Downtown Airport, which is not serviced by any commercial airlines. Shreveport Regional Airport is serviced by Allegiant Airlines, United Airlines, GLO Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, which operate flights to seven destinations: Las Vegas, Orlando (via Florida’s Orlando Sanford International Airport), Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans and Denver. Amtrak train service is available from the nearby town of Marshall, Texas, to Dallas and points beyond. 

Who lives in Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport residents represent a cross section of cultures and identities, and families make up a majority of Shreveport households.

Located squarely in the Bible Belt, Shreveport is home to hundreds of churches from a variety of denominations, mostly Protestant. Shreveport residents also support progressive causes, such as the North Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, which educates the public and raises awareness about LGBT concerns.

Although the Shreveport area is known for being business-friendly, with plenty of commercial space available and enviable real estate prices, unemployment is a concern. More than 24 percent of the population lives in poverty.

What is there to do in Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport is probably best-known for its flashy riverboat casinos, but thanks in part to a progressive downtown development initiative, the city is overflowing with other activities and adventures. The annual Louisiana Film Prize for short films and the Louisiana Music Prize are festivals that attract thousands of visitors to Shreveport. Downtown festivals, such as the Red River Revel, Mudbug Madness and the James Burton International Guitar Festival, anchor Shreveport's entertainment scene. Wine lovers will enjoy the yearly Cork Wine Festival, and every fall, Shreveport hosts the State Fair of Louisiana, which attracts thousands of visitors and participants.

The metro area also features a number of big-city entertainment options and attractions, including the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, the oldest continually running professional orchestra in Louisiana. Shreveport also recently announced the development of the $4.3 million Shreveport Aquarium. Other Shreveport attractions include the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Red River District, Robinson Film Center, American Rose Center Gardens and Sci-Port Discovery Center, an award-winning children's science center. Shreveport's crown jewel is the world-famous Municipal Auditorium, once home to "The Louisiana Hayride" radio program. The auditorium launched the careers of many musicians, including Elvis Presley, who performed his first major show there in October 1954.

Regional attractions include the Boom or Bust Byway, a scenic drive on Highway 2 that runs through the area north of Shreveport and offers a glimpse of the oil industry's history. During the early summer, the trail is lined with colorful wildflowers. Additionally, within the city are miles of recreational bicycle trails, walking paths and parks.

A burgeoning microbrewery market has opened up in recent years, thanks to businesses such as Great Raft Brewing and Red River Brewing Co. In line with Shreveport's eclectic identity, the food scene offers a variety of choices, from barbecue and steak to crawfish boils and po'boy sandwiches.