Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Central, LA

    Is Central a good place to live?

    Watch Central

    Central ranks #2 of 18 Louisiana cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (88/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $270,700
    +1.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,373
    per month
    Household income
    $90,091
    median
    Unemployment
    1.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Central

    The median home value in Central is $270,700 and median rent is $1,373 a month, against a median household income of $90,091. Homes cost about 3.0× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Central crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Louisiana the 2025 rate was 465 violent and 1,859 property crimes per 100,000 people — #7 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Central, LA

    Central has about 29,603 residents, 1.2% unemployment and 22% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Central with

    Central vs New OrleansCentral vs Baton RougeCentral vs ShreveportCentral vs MetairieCentral vs LafayetteCentral vs Lake CharlesCentral vs KennerCentral vs Bossier City

    More: Where to move in Louisiana · Best counties in Louisiana

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report