Study: Best Cities to Live in Louisiana

From the exceptional cuisine and the colorful people to the spectacle that is Mardi Gras, life in the great state of Louisiana is anything but boring. Known as the birthplace of jazz, the self-proclaimed voodoo capital of the U.S. and the home of some of the largest alligators in the world, The Pelican State features a unique culture with roots that are steeped in history and tradition. Read on to find the best cities to live in Louisiana.

While most maps divide Louisiana into five distinct regions, local folk tend to simplify things, recognizing three specific areas: the North, the South and New Orleans. In the north, you've got Shreveport and in the south is Baton Rouge, the second largest city after the Big Easy. While these larger urban areas routinely attract new residents, there are a number of small and mid-size cities that are equally desirable places to call home.

10 Best Cities to Live in Louisiana

Study Methodology

In compiling our rankings, we zeroed in on five key factors:

1. Crime Rate
   
2. Commute Time
   
3. Income
   
4. Education
   
5. Restaurants Per Capita

If safety is your top concern when moving to a new area, it helps to know what kind of crime rate to expect. We looked at the odds of being a victim of a violent crime for each city in our study to find those areas that are the safest.

Fighting traffic just to get to work in the morning can put a serious damper on your day. While most of Louisiana's larger cities offer public transportation, it's not always an option in some of the smaller towns. We measured the average commute time for each city to determine where the daily drive is less of a hassle.

Overall, Louisiana is a fairly prosperous state thanks to its booming tourist trade, but incomes tend to vary widely from one area to the next. Our rankings considered the median household income as well as the level of educational attainment for each city's residents.

If you're on the hunt for some good eats, Louisiana doesn't disappoint. German, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French and Native American flavors influence regional dishes, but if you're not a food connoisseur, all you really need to understand is the difference between Cajun and Creole. (Hint: It's more about attitude than ingredients.) The cities on our list offer something for everyone and we've ranked them according to the number of restaurants per capita.

10. Houma

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 161.6
  
• Commute Time: 22.4 minutes
  
• Income: $46,393
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 19.2%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 355 inhabitants

Deep in the heart of Bayou Country, Houma serves up the best of Cajun culture and southern hospitality. Residents appreciate the lower cost of living and availability of jobs, while tourists come to explore the swamps and enjoy some of the best fishing along the Gulf Coast. Houma is also a great place to sample authentic Cajun cuisine, and locals agree that 1921 Seafood is the best spot for fresh oysters and piping hot gumbo.

Did You Know: Houma is the hometown of the History Channel's hit show, "Swamp People," which follows several local crews as they hunt alligators along the Atchafalaya Basin.

9. West Monroe

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 281.9
  
• Commute Time: 19 minutes
  
• Income: $34,041
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 21.6%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 247 inhabitants

West Monroe sits in the northern part of Louisiana, less than 100 miles east of Shreveport. This city of just over 13,000 is the epitome of small-town charm, but you'll still find plenty of big city amenities, including shops, restaurants, hotels and plenty of local attractions like the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Many of West Monroe's residents work in the education and healthcare sectors, but the city is currently developing a major retail center to increase its ever-growing tourist trade.

Did You Know: West Monroe is the headquarters of Duck Commander, the company owned by the Robertson family of "Duck Dynasty" fame.

8. Zachary

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 407.9
  
• Commute Time: 25.9 minutes
  
• Income: $65,558
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 28.2%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 556 inhabitants

Less than 20 miles north of Baton Rouge, Zachary is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state. Families are attracted to the affordable homes, scarcity of violent crime and a school system that ranks first in the state. Professionals appreciate the higher median incomes and the close proximity to the Baton Rouge metro area. If you're craving authentic soul food, Martha's Bistro dishes up some of the tastiest sweet potato casserole in town.

Did You Know: In 1903, a fire destroyed most of the commercial buildings in downtown Zachary.

7. Kenner

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 482.8
  
• Commute Time: 25 minutes
  
• Income: $50,352
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 21.7%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 395 inhabitants

Kenner sits smack dab between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, less than 15 miles west of New Orleans. Despite being so close to the metro area and having the sixth largest population in the state, Kenner ranks as the safest city on our list. Tourism is big business here, with many residents employed by the local Treasure Chest casino. There are also a number of family-friendly attractions in the Rivertown area, including Heritage Park and the Kenner Planetarium.

Did You Know: Kenner was one of the hardest hit areas following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

6. Ruston

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 208
  
• Commute Time: 15 minutes
  
• Income: $30,649
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 43.8%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 360 inhabitants

Part of Lincoln Parish, Ruston is a quaint college town, with both Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University located within a ten-mile radius. Not only does education largely fuel the local economy, it's also highly valued by Ruston's residents, with more than 40% holding a college degree. The average commute is the shortest of any city on our list, at just 15 minutes flat, but the drive is a little longer for those who work in neighboring Monroe.

Did You Know: Ruston hosts the Louisiana Peach Festival, which kicks off the fourth weekend in June each year.

5. Thibodaux

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 226.2
  
• Commute Time: 21.5 minutes
  
• Income: $42,435
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 23.5%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 242 inhabitants

Close to Houma, Thibodaux is also situated in Bayou Country in the northern part of Lafourche Parish. This quiet little town is home to some 15,000 residents, many of whom work in the Gulf's booming petroleum industry. Downtown Thibodaux is where you'll find the local farmer's market, along with shops, art galleries and restaurants like Fremin's, which prepares its signature dishes with a blend of Creole and Italian flavors.

Did You Know: The Thibodaux area features several historic plantations, including Laurel Valley Village, which is the largest surviving sugar cane plantation complex in the U.S.

4. Sulphur

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 130
  
• Commute Time: 15.3 minutes
  
• Income: $46,522
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 21%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 411 inhabitants

Sulphur is located directly west of Lake Charles. The city got its start in the late 1800s, when the results of a geological survey determined that the area was a prime spot for sulfur mining, hence its name. In the mid-1940s, petroleum began to replace sulfur as the cornerstone of the local economy and Sulphur became home to a number of oil workers and their families. Today, this city of 20,000 residents is known as the "Pride of Southwest Louisiana."

Did You Know: Sulphur is often referred to as the gateway to the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, which offers top-notch bird watching, fishing and hiking.

3. Lafayette

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 157.7
  
• Commute Time: 19.9 minutes
  
• Income: $44,984
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 32.8%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 324 inhabitants

Roughly 60 miles west of Baton Rouge, Lafayette offers everything you want in a larger city while still evoking a small-town feel. Education leads the way economically, with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette among the top employers. The average commute takes less than 20 minutes, and median incomes close in on the $45,000 mark. There's always something to see and do here, like the annual Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, which celebrates the area's Creole music heritage.

Did You Know: Lafayette's renowned restaurant scene has earned it the honor of the Best Food City in the USA by Rand McNally and USA TODAY, as well as the "Tastiest Town in the South" by Southern Living magazine.

2. Mandeville

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 453
  
• Commute Time: 25.9 minutes
  
• Income: $63,293
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 42.2%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 138 inhabitants

Mandeville sits on Lake Pontchartrain's northern shore, directly across the water from New Orleans. A combination of higher median incomes and an average commute of under 26 minutes attract plenty of professionals, while families appreciate the great schools and favorable crime rate. The Broken Egg Cafe is a local favorite among the breakfast crowd, and a visit to La Provence is a must if you're having dinner on the Northshore.

Did You Know: One of Mandeville's most famous landmarks is the Seven Sisters Oak, the largest Southern live oak tree in the country.

1. Bossier City

• Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 267.4
  
• Commute Time: 17.6 minutes
  
• Income: $47,290
  
• Residents With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 23.9%
  
• Restaurants: 1 per 397 inhabitants

Bossier City is located on the eastern bank of the Red River, just across from the larger metropolis of Shreveport. The city is currently home to approximately 65,000 residents who are drawn to the strong economy, affordable housing and bustling energy. Barksdale Air Force Base is located within the city limits, employing roughly 12,000 residents. Tourism also supplies plenty of jobs at places like Harrah's Louisiana Downs and the Margaritaville Resort Casino. The Shreveport-Bossier City area also offers plenty of outdoor attractions and festivals for the family crowd.

Did You Know: Before it was officially recognized as a city, the U.S. Postal Service refused to deliver mail addressed to the Town of Bossier City.

Between the Fat Tuesday celebrations and the more than 400 festivals that take place throughout the year, life's always a party in Louisiana. To be sure, larger cities like Baton Rouge, Shreveport and of course, New Orleans have a great deal to offer when it comes to job opportunities, entertainment and mouth-watering cuisine, but in terms of safety, higher pay and a shorter commute, it's the smaller spots that score top marks all-around. No matter where you decide to hang your hat, you can't go wrong with any of the 10 cities we've featured.

Data Sources:

• U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates
  
• FBI, Uniform Crime Reports
  
• U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
  
• U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census