8 Best Places To Call Home In Louisiana In 2025
The "Creole State" of Louisiana is a true melting pot. The 18th state in the union boasts a coastline of sandy beaches, an incredible history, a unique culture, and one of the lowest costs of living in the United States. Dotted among the famous cities, such as New Orleans, are countless places to call home that offer their own unique charm, including Franklin, Jennings, and Minden. While the state may be best known for Mardi Gras, hot weather, and its connection to the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, Louisiana has so much more to offer. So pack your bags and see for yourself why people have settled in Louisiana for hundreds of years!
Opelousas
Incorporated in 1821, the town of Opelousas calls itself the "spice capital of the world" thanks to the high volume of spices that are grown and sold locally. Initially founded by people of French, Spanish, Creole, and Acadian descent, the town is home to just under 16,000 people who enjoy an affordable lifestyle. As a result, Opelousas has an average median home value of around $125,000 as of October 2025, which is amazing compared to the state average of $210,000!
Thanks to the town's unique cultural mix, you’ll find some fantastic food like that found at Kayenne’s Bar & Grill! While you are in town, you can learn more about Opelousas’s history at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center. If you’re looking for some unique home furnishings or gifts, pay a visit to Spotted Cats Antiques Etc. Set inside a sprawling 30,000-square-foot space, you’ll find dozens of vendors who offer a wide variety of antiques, artwork, and home furnishings. You’re bound to find what you’re looking for, and maybe even a few things you weren’t. If you happen to miss city life while in town, you’re about a 30-mile trip from Lafayette. In the event of any health needs, the Opelousas General Health System is fully equipped to meet all your needs.
Franklin
Named after Benjamin Franklin, the city of Franklin, Louisiana, is a dream for history lovers. This quaint community, home to just over 6,200 people, boasts more than 400 historic properties. All you have to do is take a walk through the city’s Historic District to feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you view historic buildings. Along Main Street, you’ll find Shadowlawn, a historic house from roughly 1850. The home offers paid tours; however, reservations are required in advance. About a fifteen-minute drive away from the historic district, you’ll find Oaklawn Manor. Built in 1837, this home offers a chance to take a tour and see how the upper crust of Franklin lived in that era. Amazingly, buying a home in Franklin is so affordable you would almost swear you're paying 1837 prices! The average home in this charming community is less than $100,000, which is remarkably affordable compared to the state average.
If you feel like going out for dinner, then the folks at local favorite Forrest Restaurant look forward to serving you! One of the best parts about Franklin is that living here won’t break the bank, since the cost of living is below the state average. Residents can also make full use of The Bayou Bend Hospital. For movie lovers, Franklin has some fun cinematic connections as well! Bits of the classic 1969 movie Easy Rider were filmed in the area. Additionally, Franklin was the birthplace of prolific Western movie actor Jerome Bonaparte “Blackjack” Ward, who appeared in over 140 films from 1927 to 1946.
Jennings
Like many towns that dot the American map, Jennings started life as a “railroad town”. Founded in 1888 and named after Irish immigrant and Southern Pacific Railroad contractor Jennings McComb, it is Mr. McComb who built the original train depot where the town stands. Since then, this gem of a town has grown to become home to just under 10,000 people. An average house in Jennings will cost around $130,000, which is approximately $80,000 less than the state average. As a result, you will still have plenty of money to spend on places like the H.W. Tupper Museum. Not only will you find exhibits from the town’s past inside, but you’ll also find a second museum! That’s right, tucked inside the H.W. Tupper Museum, you’ll also find the Louisiana Telephone Pioneer Museum. Inside this museum, you can view artifacts spanning over a hundred years.
If you are someone who not only loves nature but also wants to experience a bit of the “wild” side of nature, then pay a visit to The Gator Chateau. This unique venue gives you the chance to hold a real-life baby alligator. You’ll also get the chance to learn about gators’ habitat and their life cycle. Unquestionably, the Gator Chateau offers a unique experience to learn about Louisiana’s most notorious residents and their vital place in the state’s ecosystem. If things take an unexpected turn at the gator park, the Ochsner American Legion Hospital is fully staffed to handle any medical need.
Natchitoches
The small City of Natchitoches (pronounced nak-a-tish) is one of Louisiana’s true hidden gems. Founded in 1714 by Canadian explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, Natchitoches is the oldest permanent European settlement within the borders of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. One of the best ways to take advantage of Louisiana’s great weather is to spend time in the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. If you are a lover of both sports and history, be sure to stop by The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. While you’re there, you can also pay a visit to the Old Courthouse Museum, which is in the same building. Movie buffs may recognize some locations in town that appeared in movies such as “Steel Magnolias” starring Julia Roberts, “12 Years a Slave”, featuring Brad Pitt, and “The Man in the Moon”, starring Reese Witherspoon. (Not to be confused with the Jim Carrey movie Man On The Moon.)
Residents of Natchitoches enjoy affordable living, and a house here will only set you back about $185,000, a steal compared to the rest of the state. The town is currently home to about 18,000 people who would love for you to join them. The Natchitoches Airport is less than ten minutes outside of town. Perfect for weekend getaways.
Abbeville
The city of Abbeville is a cultural feast for residents and tourists alike, due in no small part to early settlers from the area being from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, Acadia (a former French colony). Since its incorporation in 1850, the town and its culture have grown significantly to become a multicultural melting pot that is home to just over 11,000. Thankfully, as the town has grown, Abbeville hasn’t let go of its history, as evidenced by its numerous museums, including the Abbeville Historical and Cultural Alliance Museum and the Louisiana Military Museum. The Military Museum offers guided tours, but you must call ahead.
Theater lovers aren’t left out in Abbeville, thanks to the Abby Players Community Theater that has been showcasing amazing productions since 1976! Beyond the great culture and history found in Abbeville, residents also enjoy a cost of living that is below the state median. With homes going for around $140,000 compared to the state average of $210,000, you'll have plenty of money left to enjoy your new home city! The Maison du Monde Living Center is a fully staffed senior living facility located in Abbeville, offering excellent service and hospitality.
Minden
The city of Minden is renowned for its red-brick buildings that line its main street. The beautiful little town is home to around 12,000 people. That financial cushion will allow you to take full advantage of your new home. Residents will be able to take full advantage of the Minden Medical Center for any health needs. To enjoy the great outdoors, you are welcome to rent a kayak from the Pleasure Point Bayou Dorcheat Rentals and take a paddle around the bayou. If you’re interested in learning about the area’s history, make sure to stop in at the Dorcheat Historical Alliance & Museum. While there, you can view hundreds of years’ worth of historical artifacts if you are looking for great gifts for friends, family, or even yourself at the Heavenly Treasures Antique Mall.
Thankfully, living in this great town won't break the bank either! The average home in Minden costs about $140,000, the same as Abbeville, and approximately $80,000 less than the state average. The town of Minden is also home to a unique statistical anomaly in that it holds the record for both the highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the state of Louisiana.
Baker
The charming town of Baker, Louisiana, is home to around 12,500 residents and sits conveniently between the larger communities of Zachary and Baton Rouge. Within Baker itself, locals enjoy the Baker Recreation Area, a one-acre facility featuring an outdoor fitness station, a recreation center, and an indoor basketball court. Book lovers will appreciate the East Baton Rouge Parish Library (EBRPL), which first opened its doors in 1939, while thrill-seekers can head to the Baton Rouge Raceway for some high-octane fun. Just don’t forget your earplugs!
Each September, residents eagerly anticipate the Baker Buffalo Festival, a vibrant celebration featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly attractions. The cost of living here remains comfortably below the state average, with homes currently priced around $180,000 compared to Louisiana’s average of $210,000.
Alexandria
If you are looking to live in a larger community that won’t break the bank, Alexandria might just be what you’re after! Founded in 1785, Alexandria is Louisiana’s 9th-largest city. However, don’t let that deter you. With its friendly people and amazing history, you will feel right at home in no time. Better yet, homes in Alexandria only cost an average of $140,000, which is practically a steal compared to Louisiana's average home price. Speaking of which, what better way is there to learn about your new home than by paying a visit to the Louisiana History Museum, conveniently located in downtown Alexandria.
If you are someone who prefers experiences that lean toward the wild side, then make sure to pay a visit to the Alexandria Zoo, where you can see a variety of big cats and cute animals that are sure to draw a chorus of “ooohs” and “ahhh’s.” For healthcare, residents are well served by CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, one of the region’s top-rated medical centers. Seniors will also appreciate the dedicated care offered at Marigold Place, a welcoming assisted living community known for its friendly staff and homelike setting.
Settle Down In These Louisiana Towns
The beautiful state of Louisiana is a fantastic place to live. While its weather may not always be agreeable, its friendly people, breathtaking history, and incredible culture more than make up for it. Now is your chance to make that dream a reality. With a relatively low cost of living and fantastic food, there are few reasons not to move there. So pack your bags and get ready to call the Bayou state home!
