Louisiana’s one-of-a-kind charm lies in its melting pot culture, southern cuisine, and serene bayous. Think of what first comes to mind when you hear the Bayou State: swamps, Cajun culture, and the vivacious Carnival season. But there’s more to living in Louisiana than cypress stands and bead throwing. Is Louisiana a good place to live?

Journey with us and discover the many positives that make it an attractive option for homeowners searching for an affordable home. Get the pros and cons of living in Louisiana, like the cost of living, tax situation, and real estate market. This information can help you decide if Louisiana is the right state to buy a home.

What Are The Positives of Living in Louisiana?

Each state has character, but few are as distinct and lively as Louisiana. The state’s unique culture stems from a rich history of trading hands between nations, the influence of indigenous peoples, and the African traditions brought into the state. The cultural heritage leads to a quality of life that is one-of-kind. Here’s what makes Louisiana a great place to live.

Soulful Food

What areas of our country have blended traditions so well they’ve created their own food culture? Not many, but Louisiana is one of them! Global traditions paired with Louisiana’s access to fresh seafood have given us Creole and Cajun-style cooking distinct worldwide. It’s given us po’boys, jambalaya, and gumbo. People come worldwide to try the tasty food, from Cafe du Monde beignets to crawfish etouffee.

Cultural Abundance

Cajun and Creole culture is more than delicious cuisine. It gives us festivals and celebrations like Carnival. Mardi Gras is the state’s most famous cultural celebration. New Orleans’ version is not the only festival marking Shrove Tuesday. However, its flamboyant street parade and party are the most famous in the United States. But you don’t need to live in the Big Easy to appreciate Mardi Gras. Locals experience their town’s Mardi Gras version come spring each year.

Then there’s the unique architecture of its prime cities. A walk in the French Quarter and by the gothic cathedrals is a case study in design. The Big Easy is a masterclass in jazz and blues music and living with soul. Natchitoches radiates old-world culture as the Louisiana Purchase’s most historic city.

The Great Outdoors

Besides being the “Pelican State,” Louisiana’s other nickname is “Sportsman’s Paradise.” The wealth of fishing and hunting attracts enthusiasts from around the nation. From bird-watching along its bayous, rivers, and lakes to hunting the wetlands and forests, there are multiple ways to hunt and fish in Louisiana.

The hot, tropical climate is perfect for being on the water. And the Bayou State has plenty of water, from the mighty Mississippi River down to the coast. Launch your boat at any of the public boat ramps to explore the backcountry on canoe and kayak trails. Or, hit the lakes or coast for water skiing, sailing, and fishing. 

Maybe adventure sports are your thing. The warm, sunny days help golfers play Louisiana’s fairways all year round. Mountain biking and hiking are popular in the state’s central and northern areas.

Potential Growth in Employment

Louisiana’s economy has relied on the energy industry. However, the state is diversifying with good job prospects across various sectors and industries. The Economic Development Council is working to attract more advanced manufacturing and technology jobs. Agribusiness has a strong foothold in the state, with food processing, forest, cotton, sugar cane, and timber being significant resources. Healthcare and tourism are growing sectors.

Prime Affordability

If you want to stretch your dollar further, Louisiana is a great place to do it. We’ll touch on the cost of living more below, but daily expenditures across the board are lower than the national averages. In the first quarter, Louisiana ranked as the 13th lowest living costs nationwide. Even its largest city, New Orleans, was just 1% above national averages.

What Are The Drawbacks To Living in Louisiana?

While there are many positives to moving to Louisiana, it’s not all beignets and air boating.

Hot and Humid

That same subtropical climate that attracts some residents might be a deterrent for others. In exchange for mild winters, expect even hotter summers. Get ready for temperatures in the 90Fs with high humidity.

Additionally, this is a coastal state. Be prepared for extreme weather events like major hurricanes and tornadoes. From 2010 to 2020 the state had impacts from 11 tropical storms. The effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 can still be seen in New Orleans. Dealing with hurricane season is a fact of life. Residents who live in vulnerable areas need to have emergency plans in place. Watch the weather reports and heed warnings from local authorities when given. Even if you don’t live near the coast, tropical storms can bring rain inland, causing severe flooding.

Wings, Scales, and Tails

That same warm, muggy climate combines with the wetlands to make a breeding ground for bugs. If you live in Louisiana, get ready for swarms of mosquitoes, black flies, cockroaches, and the like. You’ll also share the territory with alligators, snakes, and mice.  Bugs are simply a fact of life in the South.

Scattered Job Markets

While New Orleans and Baton Rouge have diversified employment opportunities, this isn’t the case across the state. South Louisiana is where most of the better-paying jobs are concentrated. Poverty levels remain high throughout some parts of the state. They improved from 2022 to 2023, but 19% of Louisianans lived below the federal poverty line in 2022. Limited access to jobs statewide can limit job prospects and create additional challenges.

Educational Access

Louisiana faces some challenges in providing widespread quality education. It ranked an overall no. 47 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 assessment. The public education system for K-12 ranked 40th. For childhood education, some families opt for private schools. 

What Is The Cost Of Living In Louisiana?

Few states beat Louisiana for stretching your budget. According to the Sperling Best Places Index, Louisiana’s overall cost of living is 10% below the national average. Housing costs are particularly low compared to other states. The median home price of $239,000 is significantly lower than the national median of $420,000.

Groceries and utilities costs are lower than in other states due to the abundance of natural resources available. However, scant access and wide distances increase what locals spend on healthcare and transportation.

Actual living costs vary greatly across the state. Living in New Orleans will be more expensive than living in a small town like Monroe, but the trade-off is better employment opportunities. Here’s a look at the state’s larger cities to give you a sense of how the cost of living varies across the state.

All figures are from Sperling’s Best Places Index, which places the national average at 100.

Is Louisiana Tax-Friendly?

Louisiana does charge an individual income tax, but it’s relatively low compared to other states. The tax rate varies based on the individual’s income but ranges from 1.85% to 4.25%. This lower rate can benefit those moving from a high-tax state.

The state does have a higher sales tax rate than many other states. The state levy is just 4.45%, but localities can add up to 7%! The average combined rate was 9.55% in 2022, according to Kiplinger. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt from the state sales tax, but local taxes may apply.

Retirees will be pleased to know that income from the federal government, social security, military retirement, and some designated state and local government plans are exempt from taxes. There is no inheritance or estate tax.

Property taxes are charged at 15% of the fair market value. Property values are reassessed every four years, with 2024 being the next revaluation cycle. The local parish sets the values and millage rates, so you’ll want to check with the area you’re moving to. The most expensive property taxes based on the rate paid per $1,000 in 2022 were in Orleans Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Caddo Parish. Still, the affordable cost of property taxes is a benefit to buying in Louisiana.

How Much Money Do You Need To Live In Louisiana?

Residents don’t necessarily need a high income to live comfortably, but they do need an excellent job market. A living hourly wage for a family of four with one working adult was $37.10. That family would need an after-tax income of $60,307 to cover the essentials like food, utilities, housing, and medical care. That amount doesn’t include child care.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, on average renters spend $850 on housing, which was under the $1,023 median rent at that time. Average healthcare costs for a single adult totaled $4,266 a year, while a family of four averaged $14,214. Food averaged $3,119 for a single adult, and a four-person family averaged $9,006 in 2020. Transportation can be expensive, as most employed persons need to drive to work. If you need child care, a four-year-old child averaged $5,543.

These living expenditure figures could be lower in more rural Louisiana. However, transportation costs may be higher in exchange. Rural living is great for living on a serene bayou, but you may have scant access to essentials. That travel time increases living costs. Your lifestyle factors into what you’ll spend, too.

What Is Louisiana’s Real Estate Market Like?

Louisiana’s real estate market has remained stable, with its relative affordability being the bright spot.

The median home sales price in 2023 was $239,900, down 1.1% year-over-year. That’s far below the national average of $420,000 in Q1 2024.

More updated data showed that the statewide median list price in May 2024 was $249,000, up 1.6%. These figures show appreciating home values, although there has been slow growth. Experts believe the lower employment opportunities have stifled housing price growth.

From 2022 to 2023, home prices declined by 1.1% while the number of listings increased by 19.2%, rebounding from their 2021 low. The month’s supply of inventory statewide reached 4.6 months. Pending and closed sales were down. This mimics what was happening nationwide at the time. High inflation, mortgage rates, and appreciating prices were keeping sales activity slower.

Another advantage to buying a home in Louisiana is the housing options. Find beautiful urban living in master-planned communities packed with amenities. Or, live waterfront on a bayou for a rural retreat. Buy acres of forested woods, or land in a small town oozing with Southern hospitality.

Dividing the state by its congressional districts, District 1 had the highest median price at $275,000. It included New Orleans suburbs like Metairie and Keller, Grand Isle, Sidell, and Covington. New Orleans’ area had the most significant price decline, with a price of $232,000. District 6 was the only one to see appreciation for home prices. The area around Baton Rouge and lands between Lafayette and New Orleans had the second-highest median price at $260,000. The most affordable real estate at a median $189,000 was found in District 5. It’s eastern Louisiana from north of Baton Rouge up to the border with Arkansas. Again, all of these are below the national average for home prices, making buying a home in Louisiana’s vibrant communities accessible.

What Are the Best Places In Louisiana To Live?

Even Louisiana’s big cities are small in comparison to other metros. You can have a small-town vibe while living in the state capital or the Big Easy. And if you want to get away from it all, Louisiana has ample land for that, too. Plus, there are waterfront properties that span the ocean, serene bayous, lakes, and rivers.

New Orleans, arguably the state’s most famous city, has a rich culture scene shaped by its French and Creole roots. It’s not just a place for Mardi Gras. Hear the strands of jazz music wafting across the alleys. Countless music venues are a beating heartbeat, but so is the delicious cuisine, abundant nightlife, and the people. The city is active and outdoorsy thanks to all the bike trails, access to Lake Pontchartrain, and waterfront.

Nearby Baton Rouge mixes small-town charm with big-city convenience. The home of Louisiana State University feels lively, especially on football game days. The capitol has a strong sense of community and a vibrant southern identity. Check out its attractions, like a renowned art museum and the state capitol building.

The French roots and Cajun culture of Lafayette are still apparent today. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the second-best place to live in Louisiana, it has a suburban feel and high quality of life. Having the Atchafalaya Basin and multiple wildlife refuges at its doorstep gives locals endless outdoor activities.

Shreveport and Bossier City are sister cities along the Mississippi River in northwestern Louisiana. The town’s riverboat casinos are part of its look. As a place to live, the sister cities offer affordable housing, thrill-seeking amusement, and access to a sportsman’s paradise for hunting and fishing.

Lake Charles is another fun-filled destination in south Louisiana. Casinos glitter along the shoreline. Visitors also come for the fun and soulful food. Dive into Creole culture and marvel at the costumes at its Mardi Gras museum. It has affordable cost and waterfront properties.

Other places considered among the best places in Louisiana to live include Houma, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria. Each of these smaller towns and cities has something appealing to potential residents. If small-town living attracts you, check them out.

Living in Louisiana

Louisiana has much to recommend for those looking to live somewhere affordable and full of opportunity. Imagine a life surrounded by the bustling energy of New Orleans or the quaintness of rural areas like Lake Charles. The low cost of living and tax-friendly environment add to the advantage of buying your next home in Louisiana. Talk to a local real estate agent and explore moving to Louisiana.

FAQs

Is Louisiana prone to natural disasters?

It’s no secret that Louisiana has suffered from direct hits during hurricane season. Or that it’s dealing with increasing flooding as its coastline sinks and climate conditions change. However, everywhere in the United States, there is some natural disaster risk and the chance for extreme weather. Live anywhere on the Atlantic coastline, and hurricane season is a fact of life. Occasional storms bring increased tornado threats to the Central Plains and Midwest. Out west, you have earthquakes, wildfires, and droughts. You can mitigate your property damage risk by checking if you are buying a home in a flood zone and by building a resilient home with the latest building practices.

Does Louisiana have access to quality healthcare?

Based on the 2024 analysis, Louisiana’s access to healthcare is actually near the U.S. national average. But overall, its scores hint its health services are under par. It does win high marks for its affordable cost. It does have some room to grow when it comes to quality healthcare and public health initiatives. The government does know if has to progress its health care access. Through the Louisiana Center for Health Equity, the government is looking at a multi-pronged approach that addresses all aspects of health, from access to nutritious food to affordable cost and ease of access for rural areas.

How does Louisiana rank for public safety?

Public safety is a complex issue that involves environmental factors, public education, poverty rates, and other extra safety measures. Every state has places were the crime rate is higher than others. The devastation from Hurricane Katrina and other extreme weather events did set back the economy and forced the people that made up the vibrant communities to live elsewhere. Progress to return has been slow, and extensive property damage takes time to rebuild. So does giving businesses reasons to return to Louisiana. On a statewide look, people have limited access to well-paying jobs. That does lead to poverty rates over the national average in some regions. However, through low tax rates, business incentives, public education, and vocational training, the state is working to create an excellent job market with more prospects for its residents. Already, the violent crime rate has fallen from 2021 to 2022 and again for 2023.

Updated July 2024