Louisiana is the ideal place to live, with sunshine nearly 60% of the year, a vibrant food scene, and some of the country’s hottest festivals. The Pelican State’s low cost of living also leaves more money in your pocket for enjoying all it offers. Consider one of the following excellent cities for your new Louisiana home.
1. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Population change: B
- Median rent: C
- Points of interest: A-
- Education: A
- Health care: A
Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital city, boasts a vibrant culture and the quality amenities expected in a metropolitan center. A-grade health care and education systems and more than 180 parks, including City-Brooks Community Park and Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park, appeal to families. Stroll or bike the Mississippi River Levee Path, browse museums and art galleries, and embrace the music scene at venues like the Basin Music Hall, Varsity Theatre, and Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s Cajun Cookin’ Restaurant. Rents are competitive for a capital city, with a one-bedroom apartment typically costing $958.
2. Shreveport, Louisiana
- Population change: C
- Median rent: B
- Points of interest: C
- Education: B
- Health care: C
For more affordable rents without sacrificing big-city facilities, consider Shreveport in Louisiana’s northwest. It’s the state’s third-largest city with a population of 183,489, although numbers have fallen slightly so rents remain reasonable. Expect to pay around $730 for a one-bedroom apartment. There’s plenty to do here, including cheering on college football teams at Independence Stadium, admiring the collections at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, and watching ice hockey and live music at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.
3. Metairie, Louisiana
- Population change: A
- Median rent: F
- Points of interest: B-
- Education: C
- Health care: B
Welcoming more than 14,500 new residents in the last two years, Metairie is one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing cities. Growth has impacted rental prices, with a typical one-bedroom apartment priced around $1,050. It’s still an affordable alternative to New Orleans, just 6 miles away. While many residents commute to New Orleans, Metairie has its own commercial hub along Causeway Boulevard. There’s also an A-class food scene featuring superb seafood restaurants like Bobby Herbert’s Cajun Cannon, Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bay & Fish House, and Deanie’s Seafood.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
- Population change: D
- Median rent: F
- Points of interest: A
- Education: A
- Health care: A
As Louisiana’s most populous city, nearby New Orleans is always a popular choice. Its A-grade education and health care systems are practical considerations, but you’ll probably be more attracted to the nightlife. Once the sun sets, hit the French Quarter. It’s home to Cajun and Creole restaurants, like Jewel of the South, Irene’s, and Restaurant R’evolution, and iconic music venues, like Preservation Hall, House of Blues, and Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub. Look for venues without a cover charge because the median rent of $1,600 isn’t cheap.
5. Monroe, Louisiana
- Population change: B
- Median rent: A
- Points of interest: D-
- Education: D
- Health care: D
For more affordable Louisiana living, consider Monroe, where the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $763. Nestled on the banks of the Ouachita River and Bayou DeSiard, it’s becoming more appealing as it grows. Enjoy Southern comfort food at restaurants like Waterfront Grill and The Fat Pelican. Monroe also has a brewery and music venues, including Brass Monkey Pub and Patio and Enoch’s Irish Pub & Grill.
6. Kenner, Louisiana
- Population change: C
- Median rent: C
- Points of interest: C-
- Education: F
- Health care: B
Kenner, around 7 miles west of Metairie, is a New Orleans suburb with its own identity. Best known as the home of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, the city offers safe streets, high-quality health care, and a beautiful historic district on the banks of the Mississippi. While entertainment options are lacking, the restaurant scene is one of the state’s best. Taste New Orleans’ influence at acclaimed eateries like Kenner Seafood, Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar, and Ye Olde College Inn. Rents are also much cheaper than in downtown New Orleans. Budget around $755 for a one-bedroom apartment.
7. Bossier City, Louisiana
- Population change: F
- Median rent: B
- Points of interest: C-
- Education: D
- Health care: D
Bossier City is Shreveport’s smaller, more exclusive neighbor, sitting on the opposite side of the Red River. Rents reflect its exclusivity, with the average one-bedroom apartment costing around $1,109. While it has a third of Shreveport’s population, Bossier City has good amenities. In your free time, see shows at Regal Louisiana Boardwalk Theater, have fun at Holiday Lanes or Altitude Trampoline Park, or get fit at Tinsley Park or Walbrook Park. There’s also excellent shopping and restaurants along Airline Drive, Barksdale Boulevard, and Benton Road.
8. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Population change: A
- Median rent: D
- Points of interest: D+
- Education: C
- Health care: F
Lake Charles is a charming small town in southwestern Louisiana, around 30 miles from the Texas border. As a tourist hotspot, especially around Mardi Gras when its population doubles, it has more amenities than most small towns, including four enormous casinos, five public golf courses, and putt-putt courses for families. The Historic City Hall Arts & Culture Center, Art Associates Gallery, and Abercrombie Gallery at McNeese State University bring culture to residents. Rents have fallen substantially in the last year to sit at $725 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Methodology
- 1-bedroom median rent price – Zumper.com
- Population change – American Community Survey 2021 and 2019
- Stores, schools, entertainment, restaurant, transportation – OpenStreetMap
To determine the best places to live in Louisiana we analyzed data on seven key metrics, including median 1-bedroom rent prices, population change, and the quantity of stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants. 1-bedroom rent prices accounted for 30 percent of the weighted grade. Population change accounted for 20 percent. Stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants accounted for ten percent each.
Frequently asked questions
Factors to consider include safety, cost of living, job opportunities, education, healthcare, cultural amenities, and proximity to desired amenities or attractions.
Yes, several cities and towns in Louisiana offer affordable living options. Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Alexandria are known for their lower cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Cities like Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport are known for their diverse industries, including healthcare, education, energy, tourism, and technology, providing ample job opportunities.
Absolutely! Louisiana offers family-friendly communities with good schools, parks, and recreational activities. Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Mandeville are known for their family-friendly environments.
Louisiana has cities with excellent healthcare facilities. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport are home to renowned medical centers and hospitals, offering advanced healthcare services.
If you hate the cold, Louisiana’s yearly average of 216 sunny days will suit you. Summer highs hover in the low 90s, while winter lows are a mild 39 degrees. Snow is incredibly rare, cyclones occasionally pass through, and an average of 60 inches of rain falls annually.
Essentials cost less in Louisiana than the national average, so prepare to start saving. Utilities and housing offer the most significant discounts, with typical costs 13% less than the national average. Groceries, health care, transport, and entertainment also cost less. New Orleans has Louisiana’s highest cost of living, while Lake Charles and Monroe are among the cheapest Louisiana cities.
Louisiana job opportunities are growing steadily, especially in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and software development. The unemployment rate sits at 3.3%, which is 0.4% less than the national average.
For excellent weather, food, and entertainment, Louisiana is hard to beat. Stop dreaming about making the move and start browsing apartments so you can enjoy life in the Pelican State sooner.
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