Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #50 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 26.3/100 and a F grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (91/100) and its weakest is Health (0/100).
How Does Louisiana Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Louisiana
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 587 | Prairieville | C+ | 51.2 | 35,010 | $115,610 | — | — |
| 760 | Kenner | C | 46.7 | 63,339 | $68,166 | 329.1 | 91.1 |
| 772 | Slidell | C | 46.0 | 28,664 | $66,657 | 311 | 91.1 |
| 789 | Metairie | C | 45.6 | 136,597 | $65,465 | — | 91.1 |
| 829 | Central | D | 44.3 | 29,603 | $90,091 | — | — |
| 834 | Lake Charles | D | 44.2 | 79,647 | $55,420 | 638.8 | 86.7 |
| 887 | Laplace | D | 42.3 | 28,480 | $68,028 | — | — |
| 892 | Houma | D | 42.0 | 32,760 | $54,637 | 609.1 | 88.6 |
| 894 | Lafayette | D | 41.8 | 121,452 | $61,258 | 818.2 | 87 |
| 939 | Chalmette | D | 39.7 | 22,447 | $56,875 | — | — |
| 949 | Bossier City | D | 38.9 | 62,832 | $55,130 | 915.3 | 87.1 |
| 959 | Terrytown | F | 38.2 | 25,844 | $56,944 | — | — |
| 962 | Ruston | F | 37.9 | 22,224 | $32,765 | 643.8 | — |
| 971 | New Orleans | F | 37.0 | 364,136 | $55,580 | 1361.1 | 91.1 |
| 983 | Marrero | F | 35.3 | 31,866 | $45,633 | — | — |
| 984 | New Iberia | F | 35.2 | 27,926 | $50,802 | — | — |
| 987 | Shreveport | F | 34.8 | 177,225 | $48,486 | 1152 | 87.1 |
| 991 | Baton Rouge | F | 33.6 | 219,563 | $41,651 | 1008.7 | 90.8 |
| 995 | Alexandria | F | 31.9 | 44,566 | $47,357 | 1971.9 | 86.2 |
| 997 | Monroe | F | 30.0 | 47,241 | $36,521 | 2106.4 | 83.6 |
Best Cities in Louisiana for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slidell | 53.1 | 57.7 | 68.2 | 80.5 |
| 2 | Lake Charles | 52.2 | 76.1 | 45.0 | 83.8 |
| 3 | Kenner | 51.3 | 48.5 | 62.4 | 81.5 |
| 4 | Prairieville | 50.8 | 64.1 | 37.3 | 71.1 |
| 5 | Houma | 48.6 | 64.4 | 42.6 | 84.0 |
More South States
Louisiana Rankings Overview
Louisiana earns an overall grade of F with a composite score of 26.3 out of 100, ranking #50 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (91/100) while its biggest challenge is Health (0/100).
Economy & Employment in Louisiana
With an unemployment rate of 4.3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Louisiana performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $55,416, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Louisiana
Louisiana's violent crime rate of 520 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety. This is significantly above the national average of 350 per 100,000.
Health & Education in Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #50 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #42 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Louisiana is 74.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 84%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Louisiana
Louisiana's total tax burden is 8.94% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 3%. The effective property tax rate is 0.55% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 10.11%.
Housing & Affordability in Louisiana
The median home price in Louisiana is $249,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 88 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
Environment in Louisiana
Louisiana has a median air quality index of 43 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 5% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 52 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Louisiana
Louisiana's population growth rate is +0.2% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -3.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 84.5% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Louisiana
The top-ranked cities in Louisiana based on our composite scoring are Prairieville, Kenner, and Slidell. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Louisiana's overall ranking?
Louisiana ranks #50 out of 50 states with a composite score of 26.3/100 and a grade of F.
Is Louisiana a good place to live?
Louisiana faces several challenges, scoring 26.3/100 in our composite rankings. Areas such as crime rates and economic indicators trail the national average, though the state offers its own unique qualities and ongoing improvement efforts.
What is the crime rate in Louisiana?
The violent crime rate in Louisiana is 520 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Louisiana's economy compare?
Louisiana's median household income is $55,416 with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Louisiana?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Louisiana are Prairieville, Kenner, and Slidell.
How does Louisiana rank for families?
Louisiana ranks #47 of 50 states for families with a score of 33.2/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Louisiana rank for retirees?
Louisiana ranks #50 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 36.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Louisiana rank for remote workers?
Louisiana ranks #49 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 39.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.