The 10 Best Cities in Louisiana

Louisiana is the United States’ 25th largest state in population, and the 31st most extensive. The epitome of the South, Louisiana has hot and humid weather, bayous, Cajun cuisine, and French cultural influences. If you like these things it’s a great place to live! But what are the state’s cities like? Is there much crime, what’s the cost of living, are the schools good? These questions and more are answered in our list of the 10 best cities in Louisiana, compiled from the largest 10 cities in the state.

10. Monroe

The parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Monroe is in the north of the state. Home to around 49,000 people this is the 10th best city in Louisiana. Most aspects of life in Monroe are about average, but it’s the crime rate that’s a real problem here. The city has been ranked among the most dangerous in the country.

9. Alexandria

Alexandria is the 10th largest city, and the ninth best city in Louisiana. Located right in the center of the state, Alexandria is a relatively small but vibrant city. The crime rate is again a problem here, and although the city scores better than Monroe does for cost of living and amenities, the schools are not as good here.

8. Bossier City

The eighth best city in Louisiana is Bossier City. It’s located in the north west of the state, across the Red River from Shreveport. Crime is still a problem here but not as bad as our previous two cities, though the cost of living is higher in Bossier City. Schools and employment are better, and the housing market is a little more stable.

7. Shreveport

Shreveport and Bossier City are close neighbors, and they’re closely tied on our list of 10 best cities in Louisiana too. The crime index is similar to its sister city, however, Shreveport scores higher than Bossier City does on amenities, and has a lower cost of living. Shreveport is a much larger city, home to around 200,000, making it the third largest in the state.

6. Lake Charles

Set on the shores of Lake Charles this city is a popular place to live and to visit. Lake Charles is the sixth best city in Louisiana, scoring well for excellent amenities and a low cost of living, while education, employment, and the housing market are all about average. Crime is above average in Lake Charles.

5. Lafayette

The city of Lafayette is the fourth largest in Louisiana and it’s the center of Cajun culture for the state, and the rest of the nation. Lafayette ranks as the fifth best city in Louisiana, and would rank higher if it weren’t for a bad crime rate. The cost of living is good, as are schools and employment, and the city has a stable housing market.

4. Baton Rouge

Ranked as the fourth best place to live in Louisiana is Baton Rouge. It’s the capital of the state, and the second largest city. Baton Rouge’s plus points are great access to amenities, a very low cost of living, average schools and employment, and a stable housing market. Crime is above average, but lower than some other cities on our list.

3. New Orleans

New Orleans is only marginally a better city than Baton Rouge, and the two compare very similarly. New Orleans wins out on access to amenities, and scores better in terms of crime. Surprisingly the crime index in the Big Easy is only 4 percent above state average, while in Baton Rouge it is 41 percent higher. New Orleans is the largest city and the third best city in Louisiana.

2. Kenner

Kenner is Louisiana’s sixth largest city and it’s a suburb of New Orleans. Kenner ranks as the second best city in Louisiana because it has a lower crime rate than other cities, and the best schools and housing market out of all the cities on our list.

1. Metairie

Metairie is the best city in Louisiana! Part of the New Orleans Metro Area, Metairie isn’t actually a city but a census-designated place. It’s a great place to live in Louisiana because it has the best crime index of all the 10 cities in our list, along with the best schools and education. Unemployment is low and the housing market is very stable, plus you have excellent amenities here. The cost of living is higher, but that’s the price you pay for living in a nice city!