Best Cities for Small Business in Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #49 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 29.9. Prairieville is its best city for small business at 63.8.
- Louisiana, all states
- #49 of 50
- Population
- 35,238
What Small Business Should Know About Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #49 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, presenting some challenges for business formation and growth. The state's fiscal health score of 43/100 raises questions about the state's long-term fiscal trajectory, which can affect tax policy and regulatory stability.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Louisiana's overall tax burden is 8.94% of income, with a 3% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 10.11% combined sales tax rate is on the higher side and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 25/100) with 4.3% unemployment shows healthy labor availability.
Population is roughly stable, meaning market growth will depend on capturing share rather than riding demographic expansion. Workforce quality may require investment in training — the education score of 48/100 suggests gaps in preparation. A typical home value of $217,039 helps attract and retain employees who can afford to live nearby.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Prairieville | B | 63.8 | 58.2 | 77 | 61 | — | 35,238 |
| 2Central | C+ | 57.6 | 54.8 | 69 | 62 | 46 | 29,783 |
| 3Kenner | C | 48.1 | 51.0 | 40 | 49 | 38 | 64,904 |
| 4Slidell | C | 46.9 | 50.0 | 42 | 46 | 34 | 28,561 |
| 5Houma | D | 46.9 | 48.4 | 36 | 46 | 40 | 32,392 |
| 6Metairie | D | 46.9 | 46.7 | 49 | 33 | — | 139,729 |
| 7Lake Charles | D | 46.5 | 47.7 | 23 | 42 | 54 | 81,143 |
| 8Lafayette | D | 45.2 | 45.2 | 33 | 48 | 47 | 121,715 |
| 9Laplace | D | 45.0 | 44.1 | 46 | 30 | — | 28,343 |
| 10Bossier City | D | 42.9 | 46.5 | 26 | 43 | 41 | 62,901 |
| 11New Orleans | D | 41.8 | 48.0 | 23 | 40 | 34 | 371,853 |
| 12Baton Rouge | D | 38.6 | 43.3 | 15 | 38 | 45 | 222,771 |
| 13Shreveport | F | 36.9 | 40.2 | 18 | 38 | 33 | 180,982 |
| 14Alexandria | F | 35.7 | 38.6 | 11 | 41 | 35 | 44,060 |
| 15Chalmette | F | 34.3 | 40.0 | 18 | 17 | — | 22,616 |
| 16Terrytown | F | 33.6 | 36.0 | 27 | 15 | — | 24,726 |
| 17New Iberia | F | 33.5 | 36.8 | 11 | 34 | 22 | 27,571 |
| 18Monroe | F | 31.4 | 35.9 | 2 | 27 | 31 | 47,004 |
| 19Ruston | D | 30.0 | 43.6 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 22,284 |
| 20Marrero | F | 27.9 | 32.0 | 16 | 6 | — | 32,540 |
City small business 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.
Compare: States with Similar Small Business Rankings
Also See: Louisiana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana a good state for small business?
Louisiana ranks #49 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 29.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (89/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for small business in Louisiana?
Prairieville ranks #1 in Louisiana for small business with a score of 63.8/100, followed by Central and Kenner.
What factors are most important for small business in Louisiana?
Rankings weighted toward business-friendly tax climate, strong economy, population growth, workforce quality, and transportation infrastructure — what matters when starting or running a small business.