Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Ruston, LA

    Is Ruston a good place to live?

    Watch Ruston

    Ruston ranks #5 of 19 Louisiana cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (64/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $226,700
    +9.0% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $819
    per month
    Household income
    $32,765
    median
    Unemployment
    3.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Ruston

    The median home value in Ruston is $226,700 and median rent is $819 a month, against a median household income of $32,765. Homes cost about 6.9× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Ruston 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 Ruston, LA

    Ruston has about 22,224 residents, 3.4% unemployment and 26% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Ruston with

    Ruston vs New OrleansRuston vs Baton RougeRuston vs ShreveportRuston vs MetairieRuston vs LafayetteRuston vs Lake CharlesRuston vs KennerRuston 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