These are the 25 Best Towns to Retire in Louisiana Taking the Costs of Buying a Home and Homeownership Into Consideration Along with Several Other Key Criteria

The following analysis of Louisiana’s best retirement destinations provides a comprehensive look at 25 towns across the state.

The grades I’ve assigned (A+ through D-) are inherently subjective and reflect how each town compares to others within Louisiana only, not on a national scale.

I’ve listed towns alphabetically to help me easily locate specific locations.

I’ve evaluated each town based on the cost of buying a home, healthcare access, weather patterns, cultural activities, crime rates, and proximity to airports.

Here’s the list.

1. Abbeville

• Cost of Buying a Home: A-
• Healthcare Access: B
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: B-
• Crime Rate: B
• Airport Proximity: B+

Abbeville stands out for its excellent mortgage affordability, with median home prices around $147,000 making it an attractive option for retirees on a budget. The town offers good healthcare access through Abbeville General Hospital, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to state averages, and benefits from typical South Louisiana weather patterns that allow for year-round outdoor activities.

Related: 10 Secluded Towns in Central Louisiana’s Piney Woods Immersed in Nature

Cultural attractions include the historic downtown district and the famous Giant Omelette Celebration, while outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy nearby Palmetto Island State Park. The town is approximately 30 minutes from Lafayette Regional Airport and 15 minutes from the nearest major medical center.

2. Alexandria

• Cost of Buying a Home: B+
• Healthcare Access: A
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: C+
• Airport Proximity: A

Alexandria’s robust healthcare system makes it an excellent choice for retirees seeking comprehensive medical care. The median home price of $165,000 means securing a mortgage remains reasonably affordable for most retirees, while the cost of living stays below national averages.

The city offers rich cultural experiences through the Alexandria Museum of Art and the River Oaks Square Arts Center. Alexandria International Airport is conveniently located within city limits, while multiple hospitals provide extensive healthcare options within minutes of any neighborhood.

3. Bossier City

• Cost of Buying a Home: B+
• Healthcare Access: A
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: C+
• Airport Proximity: A

Bossier City attracts retirees with its diverse entertainment options and reasonable housing costs, with median home prices around $175,000 making mortgages quite manageable. The city boasts excellent healthcare facilities, including Willis-Knighton Health System, and offers a variety of shopping and dining options at Louisiana Boardwalk.

The area features multiple casinos, the Bossier Arts Council, and various community events throughout the year. Shreveport Regional Airport is just 15 minutes away, and numerous medical facilities are readily accessible within the city limits.

4. Breaux Bridge

• Cost of Buying a Home: A
• Healthcare Access: B
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: B+
• Airport Proximity: B+

Known as the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” Breaux Bridge offers excellent mortgage affordability with median home prices around $140,000. The town provides a perfect blend of Cajun culture and modern amenities, with access to quality healthcare through St. Martin Hospital and several nearby medical facilities.

Cultural highlights include the annual Crawfish Festival, historic downtown shopping, and numerous local music venues. Lafayette Regional Airport is just 25 minutes away, and the town’s proximity to Lafayette ensures access to additional medical facilities and cultural attractions.

5. Covington

• Cost of Buying a Home: C+
• Healthcare Access: A
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: A-
• Airport Proximity: B

Covington’s charm and safety make it a desirable retirement destination, though securing a home loan might require careful planning with median home prices around $275,000. The town offers excellent healthcare through St. Tammany Parish Hospital and numerous medical specialists, while maintaining a strong sense of community and safety.

The historic downtown area hosts regular cultural events, art walks, and farmers markets. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 45 minutes away, and residents enjoy easy access to both local medical facilities and New Orleans’ healthcare systems.

6. DeRidder

• Cost of Buying a Home: A+
• Healthcare Access: B-
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: C+
• Crime Rate: B+
• Airport Proximity: C+

DeRidder stands out for its exceptional mortgage affordability, with median home prices around $120,000 making it one of the most affordable retirement options in the state. The town offers basic healthcare services through Beauregard Memorial Hospital and maintains a peaceful, small-town atmosphere with low crime rates.

Local attractions include the Historic DeRidder Downtown District and the Beauregard Museum. The nearest major airport is Alexandria International, about an hour away, while Lake Charles and its additional medical facilities are within a 45-minute drive.

7. Eunice

• Cost of Buying a Home: A
• Healthcare Access: B
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: B+
• Crime Rate: B-
• Airport Proximity: B-

Eunice offers excellent mortgage affordability with median home prices around $135,000, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious retirees. The city provides good healthcare access through Acadian Medical Center and embraces its rich Cajun heritage through various cultural programs and events.

The Liberty Center for the Performing Arts and the Eunice Prairie Cajun Museum offer regular cultural activities. Lafayette Regional Airport is about 45 minutes away, and additional healthcare options are available within a 30-minute drive.

8. Hammond

• Cost of Buying a Home: B+
• Healthcare Access: A-
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: C+
• Airport Proximity: B+

Hammond offers a perfect blend of university town amenities and suburban comfort, with reasonable mortgage options given median home prices around $180,000. The presence of North Oaks Medical Center provides excellent healthcare access, while Southeastern Louisiana University adds cultural vibrancy to the community.

The historic downtown area features regular festivals, farmers markets, and cultural events. New Orleans International Airport is about an hour away, and the city’s location provides easy access to both Baton Rouge and New Orleans medical facilities.

9. Houma

• Cost of Buying a Home: B
• Healthcare Access: A-
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: B+
• Crime Rate: C+
• Airport Proximity: B

Houma provides good value for retirees with median home prices around $185,000 making mortgages relatively affordable. The city offers excellent healthcare through Terrebonne General Medical Center and Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, while maintaining strong ties to its cultural heritage.

Cultural attractions include the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum and numerous local festivals. New Orleans International Airport is about an hour away, and the city’s medical facilities serve as a regional healthcare hub.

10. Lafayette

• Cost of Buying a Home: B-
• Healthcare Access: A+
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: A+
• Crime Rate: C
• Airport Proximity: A

Lafayette shines as the cultural heart of Cajun Country, though home loans may require careful consideration with median home prices around $225,000. The city boasts exceptional healthcare facilities including Lafayette General Medical Center and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, offering comprehensive medical services.

The city is rich in cultural attractions, including Festival International, numerous museums, and the Acadiana Center for the Arts. Lafayette Regional Airport provides convenient travel options, and the city serves as a major medical hub for the region.

11. Lake Charles

• Cost of Buying a Home: B
• Healthcare Access: A
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: C+
• Airport Proximity: A

Lake Charles combines casino entertainment with family-friendly attractions, offering reasonable mortgage options with median home prices around $190,000. The city provides excellent healthcare through CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, while maintaining a diverse range of entertainment options.

Cultural highlights include the Mardi Gras Museum, Chennault International Airport Museum, and various waterfront activities. Lake Charles Regional Airport offers convenient travel access, and the city’s medical facilities serve a large regional population.

12. Mandeville

• Cost of Buying a Home: C
• Healthcare Access: A-
• Weather: B+
• Cultural Activities: A-
• Crime Rate: A
• Airport Proximity: B

Mandeville’s exceptional safety record and lakefront location make it highly desirable, though obtaining a mortgage requires consideration with median home prices around $290,000. The city offers excellent healthcare options through numerous medical facilities and maintains a high standard of living with access to outdoor recreation along Lake Pontchartrain.

Related: 10 of the Most Secluded Towns in Louisiana Perfect for Homebuyers Who Want to Get Away From It All

The city features the Mandeville Trailhead Cultural Interpretive Center and regular community events. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 45 minutes away, and residents have access to both local and New Orleans medical facilities.

13. Minden

• Cost of Buying a Home: A
• Healthcare Access: B
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: B-
• Crime Rate: B
• Airport Proximity: B

Minden attracts retirees with its excellent mortgage affordability, featuring median home prices around $130,000. The town provides good healthcare access through Minden Medical Center and maintains a charming historic downtown district that reflects its rich heritage.

Cultural attractions include the Dorcheat Historical Museum and various annual festivals. Shreveport Regional Airport is about 30 minutes away, and additional medical facilities are available in nearby Shreveport-Bossier City.

Related: Explore this 13,001 sq. ft. Mansion in Baton Rouge, LA

14. Monroe

• Cost of Buying a Home: B+
• Healthcare Access: A
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: B+
• Crime Rate: C
• Airport Proximity: A

Monroe offers good value for retirees with median home prices around $170,000 making mortgages quite manageable. The city provides excellent healthcare through St. Francis Medical Center and Ochsner LSU Health, while offering a mix of urban amenities and small-town charm.

Cultural highlights include the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens and the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum. Monroe Regional Airport offers convenient travel options, and the city’s medical facilities serve as a regional healthcare center.

15. Morgan City

• Cost of Buying a Home: A-
• Healthcare Access: B
• Weather: B
• Cultural Activities: B
• Crime Rate: C+
• Airport Proximity: B-

Morgan City provides excellent mortgage affordability with median home prices around $150,000, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious retirees. The city offers good healthcare through Ochsner St. Mary and features a unique blend of maritime heritage and modern amenities.

The area hosts the annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival and features the International Petroleum Museum. The nearest major airport is Lafayette Regional, about an hour away, while several medical facilities are within a 30-minute drive.

16. Natchitoches

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: B+
    • Healthcare Access: B+
    • Weather: B
    • Cultural Activities: A
    • Crime Rate: B-
    • Airport Proximity: B-

Natchitoches, Louisiana’s oldest city, offers attractive mortgage options with median home prices around $165,000. The city provides quality healthcare through Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is renowned for its well-preserved historic district, which serves as the backdrop for numerous cultural events and festivals.

The city is famous for its Christmas Festival of Lights and historic Front Street shopping district. Alexandria International Airport is about an hour away, and the city maintains several medical clinics and specialist offices within its historic downtown area.

17. New Iberia

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: A-
    • Healthcare Access: B+
    • Weather: B+
    • Cultural Activities: A-
    • Crime Rate: C+
    • Airport Proximity: B

New Iberia offers excellent mortgage affordability with median home prices around $145,000. The city provides good healthcare access through Iberia Medical Center and features a rich cultural heritage centered around its historic downtown and famous Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation home.

Cultural attractions include the Bayou Teche Museum and the annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival. Lafayette Regional Airport is about 25 minutes away, and residents have access to multiple healthcare facilities within the immediate area.

18. Opelousas

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: A
    • Healthcare Access: B
    • Weather: B+
    • Cultural Activities: B+
    • Crime Rate: C
    • Airport Proximity: B

Opelousas shines with excellent mortgage affordability, featuring median home prices around $125,000. The city provides healthcare services through Opelousas General Health System and celebrates its status as Louisiana’s third-oldest city with various cultural attractions and events.

The city is home to the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum and hosts the annual Zydeco Music Festival. Lafayette Regional Airport is approximately 30 minutes away, and several medical specialists maintain offices within the city limits.

19. Ponchatoula

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: B+
    • Healthcare Access: B+
    • Weather: B+
    • Cultural Activities: B+
    • Crime Rate: B
    • Airport Proximity: B

Known as the “Strawberry Capital of the World,” Ponchatoula offers reasonable home loans with median home prices around $175,000. The city provides good healthcare access through North Oaks Medical System and maintains a charming downtown area filled with antique shops and local businesses.

The annual Strawberry Festival draws thousands of visitors, and the city features regular community events in its historic district. New Orleans International Airport is about 45 minutes away, while comprehensive medical facilities are available in nearby Hammond.

20. Rayne

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: A
    • Healthcare Access: B-
    • Weather: B+
    • Cultural Activities: B
    • Crime Rate: B
    • Airport Proximity: B

Rayne, the “Frog Capital of the World,” offers outstanding mortgage affordability with median home prices around $130,000. The town provides basic healthcare services through its local medical clinics and maintains a unique cultural identity with its frog-themed murals and annual Frog Festival.

The historic downtown area features numerous painted murals depicting the town’s history. Lafayette Regional Airport is about 20 minutes away, and major medical facilities are available in nearby Lafayette.

21. Ruston

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: B+
    • Healthcare Access: A-
    • Weather: B
    • Cultural Activities: A-
    • Crime Rate: B+
    • Airport Proximity: B

Ruston combines small-town charm with university town amenities, offering attractive mortgage options with median home prices around $170,000. The city provides excellent healthcare through Northern Louisiana Medical Center and benefits from the cultural influence of Louisiana Tech University.

The city hosts the annual Peach Festival and features multiple art galleries and performance venues. Monroe Regional Airport is about 30 minutes away, and the university’s presence helps attract quality medical specialists to the area.

22. Slidell

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: C+
    • Healthcare Access: A-
    • Weather: B+
    • Cultural Activities: B+
    • Crime Rate: C+
    • Airport Proximity: A-

Slidell’s location near New Orleans makes it attractive to retirees, though home loans require planning with median home prices around $245,000. The city offers excellent healthcare through Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Medical Center, while providing easy access to both lakefront and urban attractions.

Cultural highlights include the Slidell Cultural Center and numerous local festivals. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 30 minutes away, and residents enjoy access to both local and New Orleans medical facilities.

23. Thibodaux

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: B
    • Healthcare Access: A-
    • Weather: B
    • Cultural Activities: A-
    • Crime Rate: B
    • Airport Proximity: B-

Thibodaux offers reasonable mortgage options with median home prices around $180,000. The city provides excellent healthcare through Thibodaux Regional Medical Center and benefits from the presence of Nicholls State University, which adds cultural and educational opportunities to the community.

The city features the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center and hosts numerous bayou-themed festivals. New Orleans International Airport is about an hour away, and the city’s medical center serves as a regional healthcare hub.

24. West Monroe

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: B+
    • Healthcare Access: A-
    • Weather: B
    • Cultural Activities: B
    • Crime Rate: B-
    • Airport Proximity: A-

West Monroe provides good value for retirees with median home prices around $165,000 making mortgages quite manageable. The city offers excellent healthcare access through Glenwood Regional Medical Center and maintains a charming antique district along Trenton Street.

The area features the West Monroe Convention Center and various shopping destinations. Monroe Regional Airport is just 10 minutes away, and multiple medical facilities are easily accessible throughout the twin cities.

25. Youngsville

• • • Cost of Buying a Home: B-
    • Healthcare Access: B+
    • Weather: B+
    • Cultural Activities: B+
    • Crime Rate: A
    • Airport Proximity: A-

Youngsville attracts retirees with its exceptionally low crime rate and modern suburban feel. While home loans might be slightly higher with median home prices around $225,000, the area offers excellent value considering the quality of life and amenities available.

The town features the Youngsville Sports Complex and numerous community events throughout the year. Lafayette Regional Airport is just 15 minutes away, and several major medical facilities in Lafayette provide comprehensive healthcare options within a 20-minute drive.

Sources:

• wwwsp.dotd.la.gov
• lsu.edu
• theadvocate.com
• reddit.com
• tricare.mil
• ifly.com
• hcup-us.ahrq.com
• pewresearch.org
• travelmath.com
• fodors.com
• icmchealth.org
• dedicated.care