Whether you already live in the Pelican State or are considering a move across the country, there are many cities to consider when determining the best places to live in Louisiana. The state is home to diverse cultures, communities, and attractions. From beignets to the bayou, Louisiana is a state worth exploring.
This article will take you on a tour around Louisiana to help you determine the best place to live based on your personal preferences and lifestyle. In total, we’ll visit 10 exciting cities. Keep reading to learn more about the best places to live in Louisiana.
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Methodology & Data
Determining the best places to live in Louisiana requires careful consideration. After all, the quality of life offered by any city is subjective; only you will know if a particular parish (Louisiana's version of counties) feels like home. To cater to a diverse range of individual preferences, needs, and lifestyles and provide a well-rounded perspective, we considered the following universal benchmarks:
- Cost of living
- Median home price
- Median household income
- Education opportunities
- Walkability
- Attractions
To comprehensively evaluate the quality of life offered by each location on our lists, this article references several resources and databases, including Niche, BestPlaces, and Walk Score.
*Data from August 2024
10 Best Places in Louisiana to Live
Are you ready to find the perfect place to call home in Louisiana? Whether you’re drawn to the hustle and bustle of the city or the slower pace of small-town living, The Pelican State offers something for everyone.
1. New Orleans
- Cost of living: 1.6% higher than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $281,500 (Niche)
- Median household income: $51,116 (Niche)
- Education score: B- (Niche)
- Walkability: 58 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: French Quarter, City Park, The National WWII Museum, Audubon Nature Institute, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Preservation Hall, Jackson Square
As Louisiana’s largest and most famous city, New Orleans needs no introduction. Nestled along the Mississippi River, this iconic city is renowned for its storied history, vibrant culture, and unbeatable live music and arts scene. Residents are drawn to the city’s strong sense of community, culminating in events such as the world-famous Mardi Gras. Home to a diverse population and an assortment of employment opportunities, New Orleans is one of the best places to live in Louisiana. Some of the top neighborhoods in New Orleans include Lake Terrace, East Riverside, and Lakeview.
2. Baton Rouge
- Cost of living: 6.8% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $217,700 (Niche)
- Median household income: $50,155 (Niche)
- Education score: B- (Niche)
- Walkability: 39 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: USS KIDD Veterans Museum, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, Tiger Stadium
Located in the heart of the Bayou State, Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana and home to Louisiana State University. The Red Stick City offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. With an affordable cost of living and easy access to activities like fishing and boating on Lake Pontchartrain, Baton Rouge is a great place to live. The city also has a selection of art galleries, museums, and historic landmarks, including the LSU Museum of Art and Magnolia Mound.
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3. Lake Charles
- Cost of living: 15.9% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $191,200 (Niche)
- Median household income: $54,761 (Niche)
- Education score: B (Niche)
- Walkability: 37 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: Prien Lake Park, L’Auberge Casino Resort, Millenium Park, Lake Charles, Sam Houston Jones State Park, Lake Charles Little Theatre
Compared to New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Lake Charles is a hidden gem, but that doesn't stop this small city from being one of the best places to live in the Pelican State.
With a median home value below the national average, a strong economy, and a wide selection of things to do, Lake Charles offers residents a high quality of life at an affordable cost. Notable attractions include its namesake Lake Charles, Lake Prien, Sam Houston Jones State Park, and several casinos.
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4. Lafayette
- Cost of living: 9.8% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $234,900 (Niche)
- Median household income: $58,850 (Niche)
- Education score: B (Niche)
- Walkability: 42 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: LARC’s Acadian Village, Children’s Museum of Acadiana, Lafayette Science Museum, Acadian Park Nature Center, Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site
Lafayette, Louisiana, is a small town with a big personality. With a vibrant arts scene, delicious Cajun cuisine, and charming downtown, Lafayette is a perfect place for anyone who loves culture and a slower pace of life. The city's affordable cost of living also makes it an inexpensive choice, complete with beautiful parks and recreation areas.
Ready to find your dream home in Lafayette today? View our selection of pristine properties in the area.
5. Bossier City
- Cost of living: 15.1% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $187,000 (Niche)
- Median household income: $54,100 (Niche)
- Education score: B+ (Niche)
- Walkability: 31 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, Lake Bistineau State Park, Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Brookshire Grocery Arena
Situated on the eastern bank of the Red River, Bossier City is a sparsely suburban town in the northwestern region of Louisiana. The city holds close economic and social ties with neighboring Shreveport but resides in Bossier Parish. The parish is home to Lake Bistineau State Park, the Louisiana Boardwalk, retail shops, and eateries. Bossier City also has several well-rated public schools, including Benton Intermediate School and Cope Middle School.
6. Shreveport
- Cost of living: 22.3% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $168,900 (Niche)
- Median household income: $45,967 (Niche)
- Education score: C+ (Niche)
- Walkability: 31 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: Shreveport Aquarium, Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Sci-Port Discovery Center, Jubilee Zoo, Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park
Travel across the river from Bossier City, and you'll find its larger sister city, Shreveport. From its bustling downtown to its scenic riverfront, Shreveport is another of the best places to live in Louisiana. Not only does Shreveport boast an impressive selection of education opportunities, including Louisiana State University Shreveport, but the city is also home to a diverse economy made up of a variety of industries, such as healthcare, education, and general manufacturing.
7. Houma
- Cost of living: 13.1% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $199,100 (Niche)
- Median household income: $56,823 (Niche)
- Education score: B+ (Niche)
- Walkability: 40 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center, Bayou Terrebonne Wildlife Museum, Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, Summerfield Park
The largest city in Louisiana’s Bayou country and the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Houma puts credence to the moniker “Sportsmens’ Paradise.” The city is home to some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the state, including fishing, camping, kayaking, and geocaching.
Notable attractions in the area include Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, the Bayou Terrebonne Wildlife Museum, and St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Despite its wide array of attractions, affordable cost of living, and a rich sense of community, just over 33,400 residents call Houma home, making it one of the smallest cities on our list.
8. Alexandria
- Cost of living: 15.6% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $179,900 (Niche)
- Median household income: $49,049 (Niche)
- Education score: B+ (Niche)
- Walkability: 30 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: Alexandria Museum of Art, Louisiana History Museum, Alexandria Zoological Park, River Oaks Square Arts Center, OakWing Golf Club, The Grand Alexandria
Alexandria is a big city disguised as a small town. Only 45,000 residents call Alexandria home, but the city boasts an international airport, two major hospitals, multiple performing arts centers, and several museums. Alexandria also offers several outdoor recreation areas, including Kisatchie National Forest, Cotile Lake, and Alexandria Zoological Park. Housing options in the city are very affordable, according to Niche, and there are several highly-rated public schools, including Alexandria Senior High School and Phoenix Magnet Elementary School.
9. New Iberia
- Cost of living: 17.5% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $150,600 (Niche)
- Median household income: $47,108 (Niche)
- Education score: B (Niche)
- Walkability: 43 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: Shadows-on-the-Teche, Bayou Teche Museum, Jungle Gardens, New Iberia City Park, Spanish Lake, Tabasco Factory, Conrad Rice Mill Inc., Rip’s Rookery
Located within the Lafayette Metropolitan Area, New Iberia supports a diverse cultural heritage composed of Cajun and Spanish influence. The city honors its Spanish heritage annually by putting on El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia, which includes performances and Spanish cuisine. The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival is another notable festival hosted by New Iberia. This festival celebrates the start of the local sugar cane harvest. New Iberia’s combination of community events, cost of living, and affordable housing make it one of the best places to live in Louisiana.
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10. Covington
- Cost of living: 1.6% lower than the national average (BestPlaces)
- Median home price: $283,600 (Niche)
- Median household income: $71,719 (Niche)
- Education score: B (Niche)
- Walkability: 80 (Walk Score)
- Attractions: Beau Chene Golf and Country Club, Covington Country Club, Tammany Trace Bike Trail, Largest Statue of Ronald Reagan
Situated on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Covington is a charming small town located approximately 42 miles away from New Orleans. Like other top places to live in Louisiana, Covington offers affordable housing options and several top-rated public schools. However, compared to New Orleans and other larger cities, life in Covington moves slower. Covington is also a hotspot for golf, with courses such as Beau Chene Golf and Country Club and Covington Country Club located nearby.
Find Your Louisiana Home
From southern hospitality to an affordable cost of living, Louisiana’s best places to live offer a little of everything. Whether you’re set on moving to Baton Rouge, Lafayette, or anywhere in between, the Pelican State will give you plenty of reasons to call it home.
Here at Century Communities, we’re committed to offering some of the best properties in the state of Louisiana. If you’re searching for a house, check out our new homes available in the area today!
Living in Louisiana FAQ
Is Louisiana a good state to live in?
Louisiana is an excellent state to live in for various reasons, including its low cost of living, affordable housing market, proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities, and diverse culture.
Why would people move to Louisiana?
People may move to Louisiana for many reasons, including being closer to family, saving money, living closer to nature, taking advantage of endless sunshine and warm weather, and exploring the state’s unique cultural heritage and history.
What are Louisiana’s best cities?
While Louisiana’s best cities can only be determined by personal preferences, some of the most popular cities in Louisiana are New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Shreveport.