Buy vs Rent in Shreveport, LA (2026)
Median home price $190K · 1BR rent $1,000/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 15.8x.
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $6,650 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $1,220/mo | $1,138/mo | $1,011/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $174/mo | $174/mo | $174/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $79/mo | $79/mo | $79/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $158/mo | $158/mo | $158/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $1,631vs rent: +$631/mo | $1,549vs rent: +$549/mo | $1,422vs rent: +$422/mo |
| Income to qualify | $52,286/yr | $48,771/yr | $43,329/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~3 yrs | ~8 yrs |
Compare today's mortgage rates
Shreveport's price-to-rent ratio suggests buying may make sense — here are top lenders.
Shreveport housing context
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in Shreveport?
Shreveport's price-to-rent ratio of 15.8x is in the neutral zone (15-20x). Whether to buy or rent depends on how long you plan to stay, your down payment, and your personal finances.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in Shreveport?
With a median home price of $190K in Shreveport, you'd need an annual income of roughly $43,329 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $48,771/year.
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only