Louisiana moving guide

Where should I move in Louisiana?

We ranked 24 Louisiana cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Prairieville

   Home $302,200 · Rent $1,225 · Income $115,610 · Unemployment 2.3%
   93/100
2. 2

   Central

   Home $270,700 · Rent $1,373 · Income $90,091 · Unemployment 1.2%
   85/100
3. 3

   Slidell

   Home $207,800 · Rent $1,381 · Income $66,657 · Unemployment 4.3%
   76/100
4. 4

   Bayou Cane

   Home $195,900 · Rent $1,046 · Income $73,235 · Unemployment 5.5%
   70/100
5. 5

   Lafayette

   Home $251,300 · Rent $1,065 · Income $61,454 · Unemployment 5.1%
   67/100
6. 6

   Metairie

   Home $308,900 · Rent $1,159 · Income $73,256 · Unemployment 4.4%
   62/100
7. 7

   Ruston

   Home $226,700 · Rent $819 · Income $32,765 · Unemployment 3.4%
   62/100
8. 8

   Bossier City

   Home $192,300 · Rent $1,097 · Income $55,130 · Unemployment 5.9%
   55/100
9. 9

   Hammond

   Home $219,400 · Rent $932 · Income $41,222 · Unemployment 5.7%
   55/100
10. 10

    Lake Charles

    Home $204,000 · Rent $1,090 · Income $56,864 · Unemployment 5.5%
    52/100
11. 11

    Kenner

    Home $241,800 · Rent $1,129 · Income $64,099 · Unemployment 5.5%
    50/100
12. 12

    Houma

    Home $207,900 · Rent $1,011 · Income $54,637 · Unemployment 3.5%
    48/100
13. 13

    Terrytown

    Home $212,000 · Rent $1,065 · Income $56,944 · Unemployment 7.4%
    45/100
14. 14

    Chalmette

    Home $203,800 · Rent $1,089 · Income $56,875 · Unemployment 8.7%
    43/100
15. 15

    Sulphur

    Home $175,200 · Rent $1,015 · Income $58,044 · Unemployment 4.6%
    43/100

Statewide, Louisiana recorded 2,324 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #7 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Louisiana to live

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