Moving to New Orleans? Known for its delicious Cajun cuisine, vibrant arts and culture, and abundance of exciting activities, Crescent City is a great place to call home. The best neighborhoods in New Orleans can be determined by considering factors like crime rates, housing and rent prices, and available amenities. These New Orleans neighborhoods provide residents with a high quality of life and a variety of things to do while remaining relatively inexpensive and safe. Here are five safe, affordable neighborhoods in New Orleans!
| Neighborhood | Central Business District | Gentilly Terrace | Lakeview | Old Aurora | West End |
| Safer than % of City | 68% | 56% | 93% | 77% | 94% |
| Median Home Price | $453,250 | $187,290 | $454,136 | $203,820 | $381,325 |
| Compared to City Median Home Price | 81% higher | 25% lower | 81% higher | 18% lower | 52% higher |
| Median Rent Price | $1,076 | $1,093 | $1,680 | $1,069 | $1,430 |
| Compared to City Median Rent Price | 4% higher | 6% higher | 63% higher | 4% higher | 39% higher |
Is New Orleans a Safe Place to Live in 2025?
Despite facing some challenges with crime, NOLA is still safer than 10% of Louisiana cities, including big nearby metros like Baton Rouge. As with other big cities, the crime rate in New Orleans is higher than average, but some neighborhoods are safer than others. Many of the safest areas of New Orleans are more residential and further away from downtown—including Lakeview, West End, and Old Aurora—and there are several safe suburbs in New Orleans, as well.
Central Business District
- Home Price: $453,250 median purchase price; $1,076 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 68% of New Orleans neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Bordered by the French Quarter to the north and the Mississippi River to the east, Central Business District is one of the best places to live in New Orleans. Residents can enjoy sleek bars and elevated Creole eateries, excellent shopping, performing arts venues, and many other things to do just a short walk from their front door. In addition to being highly walkable, this affordable NOLA neighborhood is also extremely bike-friendly, so getting around is easy! The CBD is popular among singles and young professionals not only because of its many fun activities and budget-friendly apartments and condos, but also because the neighborhood is a major hub for jobs in New Orleans.
Things to Do in Central Business District
Catch the free annual Wednesday at the Square outdoor concert series or other New Orleans festivals and events throughout the year at Lafayette Square! Get tickets to see ballet, live theatre, and more at Canal Street‘s historic Orpheum Theater New Orleans. Learn about “the war that changed the world” through interactive exhibits like Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience at The National WWII Museum. Immerse yourself in Southern art and history through photography, paintings, sculptures, and New Orleans events like the annual Magnolia Ball at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Watch the New Orleans Saints (NFL) score a touchdown at the Caesars Superdome. Wake up with a Short Stack, Biscuit Sandwich, or Smoked Salmon Toast for brunch in New Orleans at Bearcat Cafe. Savor unique dishes that combine Southeast Asian and Southern cuisine, like Satsuma Glazed Octopus, Black Garlic Carbonara, or BBQ Shrimp and Grits at Maypop. Find classic NOLA food like a Fried Chicken Sandwich, Grandma’s Sausage Gravy Biscuit, or Crawfish Dip at Willa Jean. Or enjoy Spaghetti Fra Diavolo, Margherita Pizza, or Fried Calamari from Gianna Restaurant.
Q: Is New Orleans more expensive than Baton Rouge?
A: Living in New Orleans is slightly more expensive than Baton Rouge. While Baton Rouge’s cost of living is 3% lower than the national average, the cost of living in New Orleans is 6% above the U.S. average. However, New Orleans offers particularly low utility costs and an income per capita that’s 10% more than the country’s average to help supplement the slightly higher living costs. Plus, many neighborhoods offer affordable housing in New Orleans, so you can rest assured you’ll find a place within your budget.
Gentilly Terrace
- Home Price: $187,290 median purchase price; $1,093 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of New Orleans neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Quiet and low-key, Gentilly Terrace is a great neighborhood in New Orleans for those seeking a more suburban feel. Bungalows and Craftsman-style homes line the streets of this safe, affordable NOLA neighborhood, and the Gentilly Terrace and Gardens Improvement Association helps promote a sense of community with neighborhood events like holiday parties. This, along with the presence of New Orleans schools like Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary Charter School and Brother Martin High School, makes the neighborhood popular among active families. Many students living in New Orleans also call Gentilly Terrace home, thanks to its close proximity to the nearby Dillard University. For even more amenities and things to do in NOLA, residents can commute to the French Quarter and Central Business District within 15 minutes.
Things to Do in Gentilly Terrace
Play a game of tennis or baseball with friends or family at nearby by Pontchartrain Park. Devour food from the best New Orleans restaurants, listen to live music, and shop arts and crafts each October at Gentilly Fest. Sign your kids up for swimming lessons, attend FitNOLA Line Dancing, or play a game of basketball at the Milne Rec Center. Order delicious American fare in a casual setting with menu items like the Stuffed Burger, wings in a variety of flavors, and desserts like the Praline Covered Brownie at Pra_LEES. Grab some Hot Sausage and Mustard Greens or a variety of other soul food offerings at Ro’s Smokin Jo’s. Sink your teeth into Jamaican Creole fusion dishes like the Crawfish Etouffee Plate and the Jerk Chicken Sandwich at Afrodisiac. For daily specials like Red Beans and Rice or Shrimp Creole, stop by The Original Fiorella’s Cafe—a New Orleans staple since 1985! Or enjoy BBQ Platters, The Big Porker, or Smoked Turkey Breast from Cochon King Barbecue.
Q: Is New Orleans expensive?
A: Despite being a big city with excellent amenities, the cost of living in New Orleans is only 6% higher than the national average. Compared to other major cities in the Southeast, such as Atlanta and Charlotte, New Orleans is a less expensive option—and it’s often seen as worth the cost for its rich culture, delicious food, and liveliness.
Lakeview
- Home Price: $454,136 median purchase price; $1,680 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 93% of New Orleans neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Bordered to the east by the massive New Orleans City Park, Lakeview is a safe, scenic NOLA neighborhood. The community is vibrant and active with many shops, restaurants, and outdoor recreation activities to enjoy—but it also has somewhat of a small-town residential feel. The real estate in the area consists of cottages and ranches, many with large backyards perfect for kids. Families living in New Orleans will also appreciate that the neighborhood includes NOLA schools like Hynes Charter School, St. Dominic School, and Mount Carmel Academy. Meanwhile, with major roadways like I-10 and I-610 connecting the neighborhood to the rest of NOLA, getting around to the rest of the city is easy.
Things to Do in Lakeview
Go catch-and-release fishing, attend the Thursdays at Twilight concert series, or watch the kiddos play on the playground at the New Orleans City Park. Shoot hoops on the basketball court or do arts and crafts at the Gernon Brown Recreation Center. Bring your kids for hands-on learning experiences like Move With the River—an exhibit about the Mississippi River and its ecosystem—at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Play a game of mini golf with the family at City Putt, which features courses inspired by Louisiana and New Orleans. Drop by for a bowl of Shrimp and Corn Soup, Tuna Poke, or Cashew Curry Shrimp Risotto from Juniors on Harrison. Order from a massive menu of Mexican eats from Chicken Fajitas to Vegan Tacos with a Cactus Original Frozen Margarita at The Velvet Cactus. Make reservations to enjoy elevated entrees like Filet Mignon and Shrimp Bordelaise at Steak Knife Restaurant, a family-owned and operated New Orleans restaurant that’s been in business for more than 40 years. Or indulge in Rosemary Peach Tea Sherbet or earn your place in the Tchoupitoulas Hall of Fame by eating your way through the massive—but delicious—Eight-Scoop Sundae at Creole Creamery.
Q: What are the most affordable New Orleans neighborhoods?
A: The Gentilly Terrace neighborhood is one of the least expensive places to live in New Orleans. With low housing and rental costs compared to other NOLA neighborhoods, fun community events, as well as proximity to great amenities like schools and green space, Gentilly Terrace is a great place to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle on a budget.
Old Aurora
- Home Price: $203,820 median purchase price; $1,069 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of New Orleans neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Tucked within the historic Algiers neighborhood, affordable Old Aurora is one of the best places to live in New Orleans! Just across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter, this safe NOLA neighborhood has breathtaking views of the downtown skyline. Old Aurora residents have close access to the heart of the city but can enjoy a quieter way of life in their neighborhood. Residential areas consist of tree-lined streets with historical bungalows and charming Victorian homes, all with affordable prices compared to other areas in New Orleans. Low crime rates, a diverse population, and great schools—including PK-8 Alice M. Harte Charter School and New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy—make this an awesome neighborhood for raising kids in The Big Easy! College students in the area will also appreciate Old Aurora’s proximity to the University of Holy Cross.
Things to Do in Old Aurora
Practice your swing on the green, catch a golf tournament, or enroll your kids in the nationally-recognized junior golf program at nearby Lakewood Golf Club. Bring your camera for a day of birdwatching or take the little ones for a fun afternoon on the playground at Brechtel Park. Shop at local retailers and nationwide brands or grab a cup of coffee at Algiers Plaza. Get your heart pumping with a CrossFit class or get nutrition counseling at CrossFit Algiers. Have an Italian Sub, Savory Cannoli, or a Personal Pizza Combo for lunch at Olive Branch Cafe. Enjoy delicious Vietnamese food like a Fried Tofu Steamed Bun, Lemongrass Chicken Rice Dish, and Rare Beef Pho at Thanh Lien Kitchen. Devour the Roast Beef Poor Boy, Grilled Chicken Club, or the Meatball Muffuletta from DiMartino’s Famous New Orleans Muffulettas. Drop by for a Catfish Dinner, Chubbie Burger, or 3 Piece Chicken Dinner from long-standing local favorite Chubbie’s Fried Chicken.
Q: What are the safest areas in New Orleans?
A: One of the safest parts of New Orleans is the peaceful neighborhood of West End, and it appeals to all demographics. An area that’s safer than 94% of New Orleans neighborhoods, West End boasts a friendly environment filled with parks, waterfront recreation, top restaurants, and more. This is an especially great locale for those seeking a calm, residential escape away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown NOLA.
West End
- Home Price: $381,325 median purchase price; $1,430 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of New Orleans neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
As one of the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans, West End is a great place to raise a family. This safe, affordable New Orleans neighborhood offers a quiet lifestyle, plenty of green space, and waterfront recreation and views of Lake Pontchartrain and the 17th Street Canal. Some residents even choose to live on the water in boathouses, though cottages and other more traditional NOLA real estate can also be found at affordable rates in West End. Budget-friendliness aside, another major draw for families living in West End is its proximity to great New Orleans public schools like Riviere Elementary School.
Things to Do in West End
Have a picnic on the shore, go fishing in the massive Lake Pontchartrain, or go for a family bike ride on the paths at West End Park. Go on a guided history tour with a nautical twist or partake in New Orleans neighborhood events like Fall Movie Night at the New Canal Lighthouse. Take swing dancing classes as a group or in private lessons for all skill levels at Fleur De Dance. Go for a waterfront walk, bike ride, or jog with your four-legged friend along the 17th Street Canal Trail. Take in the waterfront view as you eat a Shrimp Platter or Catfish Po Boy, and save room for a piece of Old Fashioned Apple Pie at Russell’s Marina Grill. Savor Frozen Peach Bellinis and Truffle Fries during Happy Hour or have upscale entrees like Golden Fried Fish Almondine or Chicken Caprese at Sala. Try the Tutto Carne Pizza, Mortadella, and Wood-Roasted Cauliflower from Pizza Domenica. Or sample a Ghost in the Machine IPA to go with sandwiches like The Pork, The Turkey, or the Boom Burger at The Backyard.
Q: What areas of New Orleans are safe for families?
A: Some of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans for families are West End and Lakeview. These areas provide an excellent balance of both safety and affordability, in addition to close proximity to schools, outdoor recreation opportunities, and other family-friendly activities in New Orleans!
***
Moving to The Big Easy? Extra Space Storage has convenient storage facilities throughout the New Orleans metro that can help with your relocation. Find NOLA self storage near you!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
