Best Cities for Families in Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #47 of 50 for families, with a families score of 44.5. Prairieville is its best city for families at 59.2.
- Louisiana, all states
- #47 of 50
- Population
- 35,238
What Families Should Know About Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #47 out of 50 for families, placing it in the bottom tier of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in affordability (89/100) — but Louisiana's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and environment.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Louisiana faces challenges on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 83.1%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 48/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care costs $11,133 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Louisiana faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 515.1 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 88.2) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Prairieville | B | 59.2 | 58.2 | 65 | — | 74 | 35,238 |
| 2Ruston | D | 58.2 | 43.6 | 76 | 63 | 89 | 22,284 |
| 3Central | C+ | 57.5 | 54.8 | — | — | 75 | 29,783 |
| 4Slidell | C | 55.0 | 50.0 | 57 | 72 | 76 | 28,561 |
| 5Kenner | C | 54.2 | 51.0 | 49 | 74 | 77 | 64,904 |
| 6Houma | D | 54.0 | 48.4 | 63 | 56 | 85 | 32,392 |
| 7Bossier City | D | 53.5 | 46.5 | 62 | 38 | 85 | 62,901 |
| 8New Orleans | D | 52.4 | 48.0 | 53 | — | 74 | 371,853 |
| 9Lake Charles | D | 52.4 | 47.7 | 76 | 47 | 84 | 81,143 |
| 10Chalmette | F | 50.7 | 40.0 | 65 | — | 80 | 22,616 |
| 11Baton Rouge | D | 50.3 | 43.3 | 49 | — | 80 | 222,771 |
| 12Laplace | D | 49.9 | 44.1 | 62 | — | 77 | 28,343 |
| 13Metairie | D | 48.1 | 46.7 | 49 | — | 74 | 139,729 |
| 14Monroe | F | 47.8 | 35.9 | 66 | 6 | 88 | 47,004 |
| 15Shreveport | F | 47.7 | 40.2 | 53 | 17 | 87 | 180,982 |
| 16Alexandria | F | 46.9 | 38.6 | 55 | 2 | 87 | 44,060 |
| 17Lafayette | D | 45.8 | 45.2 | 51 | 18 | 81 | 121,715 |
| 18New Iberia | F | 45.0 | 36.8 | 59 | 26 | 91 | 27,571 |
| 19Terrytown | F | 44.2 | 36.0 | 44 | — | 79 | 24,726 |
| 20Marrero | F | 41.9 | 32.0 | 45 | — | 82 | 32,540 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Louisiana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana a good state for families?
Louisiana ranks #47 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 44.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (89/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for families in Louisiana?
Prairieville ranks #1 in Louisiana for families with a score of 59.2/100, followed by Ruston and Central.
What factors are most important for families in Louisiana?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.