U.S. News & World Reports has released a list of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026, and Louisiana has several on the list.

Here's a look at where in the state is selected as several of the top cities in the U.S.

Louisiana cities on "Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026" list

According to U.S. News, for its 2025-2026 Best Places to Live list , 150 major cities were selected based on value, desirability, job market and quality of life.

The data was categorized into various indexes (health care, affordability, happiness, etc.) and evaluated using a methodology determined by Americans' preferences. The percent weighting for each index follows the answers from a February 2024 public survey in which people from across the country voted for what they believed was the most important factor to consider when choosing where to live.

Lafayette

Lafayette is ranked number 84 on U.S. News' list of Best Places to Live in the U.S., and is ranked number 87 in the Best Places to Retire list. According to U.S. News, Lafayette's overall score is 6.2 out of 10.

Shreveport

Shreveport is number 111 on U.S. News' list of Best Places to Live, and is ranked number 120 on the Best Place to Retire list. According to U.S. News, Shreveport's overall score is 5.9 out of 10.

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is number 125 on the list of Best Places to Live and number 145 on the list of Best Places to Retire. The overall score for Baton Rouge is 5.8 out of 10, according to U.S. News.

New Orleans

New Orleans is ranked number 140 on the list of Best Places to Live, and is ranked number 146 on the list of Best Places to Retire. The city of New Orleans has the overall score of 5.5 out of 10, according to U.S. News.