Your Shreveport, LA Real Estate Questions Answered

Living in Shreveport, LA can be a great experience. Not only is it a historic city filled with a collection of modern activities to fill your time, but its cost of living is also quite affordable compared to other similarly sized cities.

You may be surprised by this northern Louisiana town. For starters, it’s the center of a cultural blend, being close to Arkansas and Texas. It’s more southern than Cajun-Creole, with street names after Texas landmarks and western pioneers rather than French roots. It also has some lovely green areas and a business-friendly environment.

Perhaps you’re being stationed at the air base nearby or want a more affordable place to live. If you’re considering moving to Shreveport, here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

What should I know about Shreveport, LA?

Louisiana is known for its friendly, welcoming culture, and Shreveport is no exception. US News and World Report ranked Shreveport as the fourth-best place to live in Louisiana. If you’re looking for a place where people will likely greet you with a smile and strike up a conversation, Shreveport might be the place for you.

This town is closer to Little Rock than Baton Rouge. It is located along the Red River and beside Barksdale Air Force Base and Cross Lake. This part of Louisiana is known as a Sportsman’s Paradise because of its access to hunt and game lands.

What is the cost of living in Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport is known for having a relatively low cost of living compared to other cities in the United States, so if you’re looking for a place to live where your money can go further, Shreveport might be a good option.

Housing came in at 60% under the national average and was the category with the most savings. Its overall cost of living was 23% cheaper than the US average and 13% cheaper than Louisiana. However, all expenditures, including healthcare, were below typical spending.

However, salaries tend to be under the national average, too. The mean hourly wage in May 2021 was $21.76.

What is the average price of a home in Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport is a large area to explore, with various real estate choices, from the waterfront to homesteads. It has 21 recognized neighborhoods, areas within its city limits, and surrounding suburbs.

In February 2023, the greater Shreveport metro had 182 homes for sale and a median list price of $189,300. The most affordable listing was a $5,000 vacant lot. The most expensive was $3.85 million for 10,445 sq ft on 2.89 acres with three bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.

Your waterfront lots will obviously run more than inland lots, with Cross Lake being a desirable place to live.

Are there any condos or townhomes available in Shreveport, LA?

Yes, you can find condos and townhomes in Shreveport. February 2023 had 41 of these types of properties on the market. The most expensive was $635,000 for a 3,500-square-foot condo with waterfront views of Cross Lake, five bedrooms, and 4.5 bathrooms. The least expensive was $69,000 for a 691 sq ft studio with one bedroom and bathroom.

Some places you can look are Eastwood on the Bayou, Southern Hills, Shreve City, Cross Lake, and Ellerbe Woods. This is not an exhaustive list of recommendations. Speaking with a local real estate agent is your best bet at finding something within your price point with the amenities you want.

What is the property tax rate for Shreveport, LA?

Louisiana has one of the nation’s lowest tax burdens. Residential properties are taxed at 15% f their assessed value. Caddo Parish Tax Assessor sets the town’s property values every four years.

For Shreveport, the 2022 total Caddo Parish-wide tax (which includes schools, bonded debt, law environment, library, and assessment district taxes) was 130.30 mils. Shreveport charged 29.099 mills for a total of 159.388.

Tax notices are mailed in mid-November, with taxes due December 31. The City of Shreveport collects the taxes.

What parish is Shreveport, LA in?

Shreveport is part of Caddo Parish, the so-called “Gateway to the West.” It borders Texas on its western side and Arkansas to the north. The Red River forms its eastern border. Inside Caddo Parish are 11 recognized towns, with Shreveport being the largest and the county seat.

Caddo Parish has a long history. The name comes from the Caddo Indian Confederacy, which was the original area inhabitants. Shreveport was founded in 1840 and named the seat of the local government. It became the temporary state capitol when Baton Rouge was occupied by Union forces during the Civil War. The discovery of oil led to an economic boom in the early 1900s, the remnants of which are still in the area today.

Is Shreveport, LA, growing?

Shreveport is not a growing community, losing around 12,000 residents between April 2010 and April 2020. The US Census reports it’s lost another 2.1% of its population from 2020 to 2021.

This is on trend with Caddo Parish, which also lost about 2% of its population from 2020 to 2021 and reported losses over the 2010 to 2020 Census.

Experts believe the top reason why people are leaving has to do with economics and employment.

What neighborhoods are in Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport has around 21 recognized neighborhoods inside city limits and even more suburbs that serve the area. So, while you have a lot of choices regarding where to live, which ones seem to attract the most interest?

Anderson Island developed throughout the 1950s-1970s into a modest, suburban-style neighborhood. Residents prize it today for its location near shopping, necessities, dining, and major roadways. It has community parks and great schools.

Broadmoor dates to the 1940s-1960s, with mid-century homes and bungalow styles. This isn’t a master-planned subdivision, but one with much variety. Residents love the mature landscaping, tall pines and oaks, plus springtime blooms of azaleas. Many green spaces and playgrounds are in or near the community.

Brunswick is a newer community developed in South Brunswick. It is a gated community with predominantly two-story brick homes.

Dixie Creek is technically outside the Shreveport city limits, but it’s so close to some of its best entertainment centers that you still feel near the city. The lot size and diverse housing do lend it a more rural, southern living vibe.

Highland is bursting with a lot of character. Located south of downtown, it has an incredible variety of architectural styles and homes. It’s near Centenary College and more of the city’s historic and cultural attractions. It runs its own jazz and blues festival every fall and has its own Mardi Gras parade.

Long Lake Estates in Southeastern Shreveport gets its name from the many lakes and bayous within the subdivision. It has 24-hour security at the gate and a great location for the Windrush Shopping Center, Pierremont Mall, and the Youree Drive corridor.

The Norris Ferry communities in southeast Shreveport are part of the Ellerbe area. The homes are designed to be charming and are nestled along winding roads. It developed in the 1980s and 1990s.

Southern Trace is a highly sought-after gated community with luxury-built homes ranging from three bedrooms to mansion-like estates. It has 24-hour security, a country club, and other amenities.

Twelve Oaks is a master-planned 400-acre community in South Shreveport. It’s divided into five sections, each with a set of community covenants and home styles. It’s very close to the area’s hospitals, University Plaza shopping center, and a top school district. The neighborhood has walking paths, park areas with swing sets, and access to the local bike trail.

Are there any waterfront properties found in Shreveport, LA?

Thanks to the spacious Cross Lake and the Red River, which are part of the Shreveport metro, you can find waterfront properties with boating access. The properties along Cross Lake are in high demand. Some of these will have boat slips as part of the community or your private access. Other properties may have space along a canal or pond views.

February 2023 had 26 waterfront properties ranging in price from $159,000 to $3.85 million.

How is golf in Shreveport, LA?

Golfers will be surprised by the number of courses situated here.

The historic Querbes Park Golf Club and the club at Huntington Golf Course are municipal courses open to the public. The Club at Huntington Park was once a regular stop on the PGA tour in the 1970s. Querbes Park has seen legendary PGA golfers for exhibition matches or launched sport stars.

Play the nine-hole Jerry Brooks Golf Course near the downtown area for a short game.

East Ridge Country Club is a private member-owned club with championship tennis and golf facilities, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse for social functions and activities. Today it runs the David Toms 265 Golf Academy and the Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club.

Southern Trace Country Club is a private club with amenities like lighted tennis courts, an Olympic-sized pool, and more. Arthur Hills designed the 18-hole championship course that often ranks among the state’s best. It makes use of the pine valleys and established landscape.

In addition to these courses, there are no less than four additional courses in the area, as well as practice ranges and golf shops.

Are there golf course communities in Shreveport, LA?

To find stunning views of a golf course, look around Querbes Golf Course. These homes are along Gregg St., Stratford Ave, Cornwell Ave, and Greenway Place but are not a formal golf course community.

The closest to the golf course community is the gated Southern Trace neighborhood, which is a more upscale community built around the Southern Trace Country Club. Residents must pay to join the country club, but inside the neighborhood, you live close to a world-class golf course, tennis facilities, swimming, pool, and other social amenities.

What areas are near Shreveport, LA?

The city of Shreveport is surrounded by various smaller towns, each offering its unique flavor.

Bossier City and Haughton are two cities just minutes away from the city center, bustling with activity and live entertainment. In fact, the metro is the Shreveport-Bossier metro, with Bossier just on the other side of the Red River. It is playfully called Shreveport’s “other half.”

Barksdale Air Force Base is across the Red River, home to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Air Force Global Strike Command, the B-52 Stratofortress, and the 8th Air Force. Bossier City surrounds the base.

Other close-by towns include Greenwood, Benton, and Blanchard.

Shreveport is near several parks, including Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park, and Cypress Black Bayou Park and Recreation Area. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, or other outdoor activities, these are where Shreveport locals go close to home.

Head north on I-49, and you’ll reach the border city of Texarkana, which straddles Texas and Arkansas. I-20 takes you westward to Dallas and eastward to Monroe, LA.

What to know about living in Shreveport, LA

Everywhere has its ups and downs. Shreveport may be a shrinking town with some infrastructure challenges and room for improvement when it comes to safety. On the other hand, its beautiful green spaces, friendly people, and affordable cost of living are serious advantages.

Shreveport has a cultural scene with an entertainment district, R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Sci-Port Discovery Center, and auditoriums. It has a reputation for the big festivals it hosts, like the Red River Revel and the Mudbug Madness Festival. The Louisiana State Fair is hosted here, as is the Cork Wine Festival.

The town is modernizing, so you can enjoy the classic barbeque and crawfish with a craft beer from a local brewpub. Burn it off on one of the town’s walking and cycling paths.

As you can see, Shreveport does have its perks. You have a lower cost of living in a town known for the festivals and events it throws. If you’re looking at living in Shreveport, contact a local real estate agent to find the right neighborhood for you. Look more into if Louisiana is a good state for you to buy a home.