Louisiana is the ultimate retirement destination if you love Southern culture but want to stay in pockets that feel safer and more low-key than the headlines suggest. The cities in this guide balance lower local crime with good hospital coverage and everyday amenities, so you’re not trading safety for convenience or lifestyle.
This guide highlights the safest places to retire in Louisiana so you can compare crime patterns, hurricane risk, and healthcare access before you pick where to settle.
Our Top Picks for Retirees
• Mandeville for a premier lakeside retirement featuring the state’s most impressive safety statistics and scenic waterfront walking trails.
• Lafayette for a vibrant ""Cajun Country"" experience that balances a strong cultural heritage with top-tier geriatric medical services.
• Lake Charles for a scenic and welcoming retreat that offers a peaceful waterfront lifestyle and a dedicated regional stroke center.
• Shreveport for a secure urban retirement in North Louisiana that provides diverse city perks without the typical coastal hurricane risks.
• Baton Rouge for a resource-rich capital city life where retirees have immediate access to elite cardiac care and specialized rehab clinics.
What Are the Safest Places to Retire in Louisiana?
Mandeville
Mandeville sits along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and offers a serene and secure environment for retirees.
St. Tammany Health System provides comprehensive healthcare services, including cardiology, physical therapy, and senior wellness programs.
The area experiences mild winters, typically in the 50s°F, and hot, humid summers reaching the 90s°F. Retirees should stay prepared for hurricane season, which peaks from late summer to early fall. Mandeville’s parks, waterfront trails, and active community events make it a desirable place for a safe retirement.
Lafayette
- Violent Crime Rate: 2.0 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 15.0 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: High, with potential for hurricanes and heavy rain
Lafayette, known as the heart of Cajun culture, balances safety with vibrant living.
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center offers comprehensive services, including cardiology, rehabilitation, and geriatric care.
Winters in Lafayette are mild, averaging in the 50s°F, while summers are hot and humid, often reaching the 90s°F. The city has a notable risk of extreme weather, including hurricanes and heavy rainfall. Most recently,
Hurricane Delta in 2020 brought significant rainfall and flooding to the region.
But for those who wish to move to lively and offbeat Louisiana, Lafayette’s lively festivals, culinary scene, and close-knit community create an engaging environment for retirees looking for their second wind.
If a few Louisiana towns are starting to sound right, it’s worth asking how often you’ll be thinking about risk versus just living your life. Paying attention to
senior living communities in Louisiana around those areas can show you which pockets are already set up with stronger levees, quicker access to care, and routines that help older adults ride out both storm season and everyday bumps with less worry.
Lake Charles
- Violent Crime Rate: 2.3 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 16.5 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: High, particularly due to hurricanes and tropical storms
Lake Charles offers a welcoming atmosphere and natural beauty that attract retirees.
Lake Charles Memorial Health System provides essential services like physical therapy, cardiology, and even a stroke center.
Winters are generally mild, with temperatures around the 50s°F, while summers can reach the 90s°F with high humidity. However, retirees should be mindful of the high risk of hurricanes, especially from late summer through fall. The area faced severe damage during
Hurricane Laura in 2020.
Despite this, Lake Charles’s active arts scene, community events, and outdoor attractions offer a fulfilling lifestyle for those prepared for potential weather challenges.
Baton Rouge
- Violent Crime Rate: 3.1 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 18.2 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: High, with risks of hurricanes and flooding during rainy seasons
Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, blends cultural vibrancy with quality healthcare access.
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center stands out with a range of services, including cardiac care, rehabilitation, and specialty clinics, ensuring seniors have the medical support they need. Compared to smaller cities like Mandeville, Baton Rouge offers more extensive healthcare options but shares similar weather risks.
Winters in Baton Rouge average in the mild 50s°F, while hot, humid summers often hit the 90s°F, much like Lafayette and Shreveport. Retirees should stay mindful of potential flooding and hurricane threats, especially during the rainy season, similar to coastal areas like Lake Charles but more pronounced than in Shreveport, which sits further inland.
What sets Baton Rouge apart is its rich cultural scene, including museums, historic sites, and community festivals, offering retirees an active, engaging lifestyle. It balances city amenities and healthcare access while sharing Louisiana's typical weather challenges, making it ideal for retirees who want city life with the cultural richness that smaller towns may lack.
Shreveport
- Violent Crime Rate: 2.8 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 17.4 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: Moderate, with warm summers and occasional severe storms
Shreveport is great for retirees who want city perks with a community vibe. While its crime rates are higher than Mandeville and Lafayette, it still offers a secure urban environment.
The
Willis-Knighton Health System provides extensive healthcare, including cardiology, geriatric care, rehabilitation, cancer treatment, orthopedics, and emergency services, giving seniors the medical support they need for an active retirement.
Shreveport’s weather risk is moderate, with warm summers and occasional severe storms. Unlike Lake Charles and Lafayette, which face significant hurricane threats, Shreveport sits farther inland and experiences fewer hurricanes. Winters are mild, averaging in the 40s°F, and summers are hot, reaching the 90s°F, similar to other cities in the state.
Shreveport shines with its community activities, riverfront spots, and cultural attractions, blending safety and active living without the hurricane risks found in coastal areas like Lake Charles. It’s a solid choice for retirees wanting city life with fewer weather worries.
What Are the Best Healthcare Facilities in Louisiana for Seniors?
- Mandeville: St. Tammany Health System offers cardiology, physical therapy, and wellness programs.
- Lafayette: Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center provides geriatric care, cardiology, and rehabilitation services.
- Lake Charles: Lake Charles Memorial Health System ensures access to senior-friendly care and therapy services.
- Baton Rouge: Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center features cardiac care, specialty clinics, and rehabilitation.
- Shreveport: Willis-Knighton Health System provides comprehensive care, including geriatric services and cardiology.
Is Louisiana Senior-Friendly and Accessible?
Louisiana is senior-friendly with affordable living costs, especially for housing, which is below the national average.
The state’s tax perks add to its appeal, like exempting Social Security benefits from state income tax and offering low property taxes. These benefits make Louisiana a great option for seniors on a fixed income.
Beyond affordability, Louisiana’s rich culture shines with its music, food, and festivals. This vibrant scene creates a strong sense of community and plenty of chances for social engagement through local events, community centers, and cultural activities. Cities like Baton Rouge and Lafayette have strong healthcare systems that offer specialized senior care, including cardiology, rehab, and wellness programs, so retirees have quality medical support.
Rural areas may have fewer specialized healthcare options. The climate features mild winters and hot, humid summers, which many retirees enjoy, but hurricane season in late summer and early fall requires preparation.
Overall, Louisiana’s mix of affordability, tax benefits, culture, and community-focused living makes it a welcoming choice for retirees who want an engaging and supportive place to live.
What City Has the Lowest Crime Rate?
Mandeville has one of the lowest crime rates among Louisiana’s cities, with a violent crime rate of 1.2 per 1,000 people. The combination of safety, community activities, and access to quality healthcare makes it a top choice for retirees.
Ready to Explore Louisiana Senior Living Options?
In Louisiana, “safe enough” can mean different things — maybe it’s higher ground, shorter drives to the hospital, or a neighborhood where people notice if you don’t come outside for a day or two.
Our
Louisiana senior living directory helps you sort through senior living options in Louisiana with those details in mind, so you can focus on communities in places that feel watchful, prepared, and still fun to live in the other ten months of the year.
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