Best Cities for Retirees in Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #50 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 39.5. Central is its best city for retirees at 57.5.
- Louisiana, all states
- #50 of 50
- Population
- 29,783
What Retirees Should Know About Louisiana
At #50 out of 50, Louisiana isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in affordability, and retirees with specific priorities (low cost of living) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Louisiana's health score of 30/100 is a concern — at 73.8 years, life expectancy trails the national average, and access to quality care can be uneven. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 8.94% of income. The 3% income tax rate is relatively modest. Property taxes run 0.55% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.
Housing affordability is a clear draw — a typical home value of $217,039 makes it feasible to downsize and free up equity. Safety is worth researching at the local level — the statewide safety score of 46/100 suggests some areas perform better than others. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Central | C+ | 57.5 | 54.8 | 58 | 69 | 75 | 29,783 |
| 2Prairieville | B | 56.7 | 58.2 | 58 | 77 | 74 | 35,238 |
| 3Kenner | C | 48.8 | 51.0 | 35 | 40 | 77 | 64,904 |
| 4Metairie | D | 48.4 | 46.7 | 46 | 49 | 74 | 139,729 |
| 5Slidell | C | 48.2 | 50.0 | 36 | 42 | 76 | 28,561 |
| 6Bossier City | D | 46.3 | 46.5 | 33 | 26 | 85 | 62,901 |
| 7New Orleans | D | 45.7 | 48.0 | 42 | 23 | 74 | 371,853 |
| 8Ruston | D | 44.0 | 43.6 | 28 | 0 | 89 | 22,284 |
| 9Laplace | D | 43.7 | 44.1 | 30 | 46 | 77 | 28,343 |
| 10Houma | D | 43.6 | 48.4 | 28 | 36 | 85 | 32,392 |
| 11Lafayette | D | 43.4 | 45.2 | 46 | 33 | 81 | 121,715 |
| 12Shreveport | F | 42.6 | 40.2 | 24 | 18 | 87 | 180,982 |
| 13Alexandria | F | 40.6 | 38.6 | 18 | 11 | 87 | 44,060 |
| 14Baton Rouge | D | 40.3 | 43.3 | 34 | 15 | 80 | 222,771 |
| 15Lake Charles | D | 40.2 | 47.7 | 24 | 23 | 84 | 81,143 |
| 16Terrytown | F | 36.6 | 36.0 | 24 | 27 | 79 | 24,726 |
| 17Chalmette | F | 36.5 | 40.0 | 28 | 18 | 80 | 22,616 |
| 18Monroe | F | 36.5 | 35.9 | 9 | 2 | 88 | 47,004 |
| 19Marrero | F | 34.1 | 32.0 | 15 | 16 | 82 | 32,540 |
| 20New Iberia | F | 33.3 | 36.8 | 17 | 11 | 91 | 27,571 |
City retirees 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 retirees 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), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Louisiana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana a good state for retirees?
Louisiana ranks #50 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 39.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (89/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Louisiana?
Central ranks #1 in Louisiana for retirees with a score of 57.5/100, followed by Prairieville and Kenner.
What factors are most important for retirees in Louisiana?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.