The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Louisiana
Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 109 towns of 500–10,000 people in Louisiana. #1 is Arabi, LA.
-
25Marksville, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 81% of Louisiana towns
Marksville is a city of 5,065 people in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks hipper than 83% of Louisiana towns and more vibrant than 77% of Louisiana towns.
5,065 people · Avoyelles Parish · median home $151,900 · income $36,202 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow
Full Marksville, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
24Lacombe, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 81% of Louisiana towns
Lacombe is a community of 8,657 people in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better for families than 91% of Louisiana towns and better for retirees than 88% of Louisiana towns.
8,657 people · St. Tammany Parish · median home $207,900 · income $72,813 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow
Full Lacombe, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
23Lutcher, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Louisiana towns
Lutcher is a town of 3,133 people in St. James Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of Louisiana towns and better transit than 99% of Louisiana towns.
3,133 people · St. James Parish · median home $219,600 · income $60,375 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow
Full Lutcher, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
22Jonesboro, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Louisiana towns
Jonesboro is a town of 4,106 people in Jackson Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better for retirees than 96% of Louisiana towns and better for a vacation home than 95% of Louisiana towns.
4,106 people · Jackson Parish · median home $80,300 · income $41,786 · Jan low 36°F · 0 in snow
Full Jonesboro, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
21Westlake, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Louisiana towns
Westlake is a city of 4,781 people in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more vibrant than 94% of Louisiana towns.
4,781 people · Calcasieu Parish · median home $166,100 · income $68,381 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow
Full Westlake, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
20Vidalia, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 84% of Louisiana towns
Vidalia is a town of 4,027 people in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks hipper than 98% of Louisiana towns and better for young professionals than 93% of Louisiana towns.
4,027 people · Concordia Parish · median home $152,500 · income $48,250 · Jan low 36°F · 0 in snow
Full Vidalia, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
19Vinton, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Louisiana towns
Vinton is a town of 3,400 people in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of Louisiana towns and hipper than 97% of Louisiana towns.
3,400 people · Calcasieu Parish · median home $106,800 · income $41,875 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow
Full Vinton, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
18Merrydale, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 86% of Louisiana towns
Merrydale is a community of 9,227 people in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better transit than 98% of Louisiana towns and more walkable than 92% of Louisiana towns.
9,227 people · East Baton Rouge Parish · median home $136,100 · income $41,500 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Merrydale, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
17Denham Springs, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 86% of Louisiana towns
Denham Springs is a city of 9,286 people in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more vibrant than 95% of Louisiana towns and more walkable than 87% of Louisiana towns.
9,286 people · Livingston Parish · median home $188,200 · income $71,569 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Denham Springs, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
16Poydras, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 88% of Louisiana towns
Poydras is a community of 2,536 people in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more seaside character than 94% of Louisiana towns and better for a vacation home than 91% of Louisiana towns.
2,536 people · St. Bernard Parish · median home $132,800 · income $59,105 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow
Full Poydras, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
15Waggaman, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 89% of Louisiana towns
Waggaman is a community of 9,835 people in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better transit than 83% of Louisiana towns and more walkable than 70% of Louisiana towns.
9,835 people · Jefferson Parish · median home $170,400 · income $68,374 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow
Full Waggaman, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
14Natalbany, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Louisiana towns
Natalbany is a community of 2,510 people in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks hipper than 99% of Louisiana towns and better for young professionals than 94% of Louisiana towns.
2,510 people · Tangipahoa Parish · median home $151,200 · income $32,483 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow
Full Natalbany, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
13Arcadia, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Louisiana towns
Arcadia is a town of 2,746 people in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better for retirees than 92% of Louisiana towns and hipper than 82% of Louisiana towns.
2,746 people · Bienville Parish · median home $93,700 · income $24,860 · Jan low 36°F · 1 in snow
Full Arcadia, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
12Gramercy, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Louisiana towns
Gramercy is a town of 2,932 people in St. James Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks easier by car than 99% of Louisiana towns and better for families than 92% of Louisiana towns.
2,932 people · St. James Parish · median home $225,100 · income $67,813 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow
Full Gramercy, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
11Pearl River, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Louisiana towns
Pearl River is a town of 2,565 people in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more of a college town than 93% of Louisiana towns and more upscale than 82% of Louisiana towns.
2,565 people · St. Tammany Parish · median home $235,200 · income $56,719 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow
Full Pearl River, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
10Violet, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Louisiana towns
Violet is a community of 5,758 people in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better transit than 99% of Louisiana towns and more seaside character than 97% of Louisiana towns.
5,758 people · St. Bernard Parish · median home $173,500 · income $51,038 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Violet, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
9Leesville, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Louisiana towns
Leesville is a city of 5,649 people in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks hipper than 97% of Louisiana towns and more vibrant than 92% of Louisiana towns.
5,649 people · Vernon Parish · median home $118,600 · income $37,500 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow
Full Leesville, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
8Schriever, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Louisiana towns

Photo: Marion Post Wolcott (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Schriever is a community of 6,711 people in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The median home is worth $179,300 (typical Louisiana town: $166,450).
6,711 people · Terrebonne Parish · median home $179,300 · income $66,571 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow
Full Schriever, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
7Meraux, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Louisiana towns
Meraux is a community of 6,804 people in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more seaside character than 95% of Louisiana towns and better for families than 88% of Louisiana towns.
6,804 people · St. Bernard Parish · median home $208,700 · income $76,021 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Meraux, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
6Brownfields, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Louisiana towns
Brownfields is a community of 5,145 people in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks hipper than 77% of Louisiana towns.
5,145 people · East Baton Rouge Parish · median home $207,200 · income $65,929 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Brownfields, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
5St. Rose, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Louisiana towns
St. Rose is a community of 7,504 people in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of Louisiana towns and better transit than 96% of Louisiana towns.
7,504 people · St. Charles Parish · median home $238,900 · income $74,075 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow
Full St. Rose, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
4Monticello, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 98% of Louisiana towns
Monticello is a community of 5,431 people in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more upscale than 87% of Louisiana towns and better for young professionals than 81% of Louisiana towns.
5,431 people · East Baton Rouge Parish · median home $176,000 · income $70,441 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow
Full Monticello, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
3Westwego, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 98% of Louisiana towns
Westwego is a city of 8,568 people in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Louisiana towns and more walkable than 99% of Louisiana towns.
8,568 people · Jefferson Parish · median home $177,400 · income $46,261 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow
Full Westwego, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
2South Vacherie, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Louisiana towns
South Vacherie is a community of 3,388 people in St. James Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more of a college town than 95% of Louisiana towns and easier by car than 95% of Louisiana towns.
3,388 people · St. James Parish · median home $234,600 · income $81,310 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow
Full South Vacherie, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns. -
1Arabi, Louisiana
Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Louisiana towns
Arabi is a community of 4,533 people in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of Louisiana towns and hipper than 95% of Louisiana towns.
4,533 people · St. Bernard Parish · median home $225,500 · income $56,813 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow
Full Arabi, Louisiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Louisiana towns.
Price vs ranking
More Louisiana rankings
- The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Louisiana
- The 23 Quietest Small Towns in Louisiana
- The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Louisiana
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Louisiana
- 25 Small Towns in Louisiana With the Cheapest Homes
- 25 Small Towns in Louisiana With the Mildest Winters
- The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Louisiana
- 25 Small Towns in Louisiana With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
- The 10 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Louisiana
Same ranking, other places
- The 50 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in America
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Pennsylvania
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New York
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Texas
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Jersey
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Florida
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Wisconsin
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Ohio
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)