What Are The 8 Best Places To Live In Baton Rouge, LA?

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

Baton Rouge is the state capital city in Louisiana and a beautiful place to live. If you are looking at living in Baton Rouge, you will want to know where the safest neighborhoods are and what each has to provide for you. This state has a lower cost of living than most places in the United States, a strong economic system, and one of the best places to call home. Baton Rouge has some of the best cuisine, fantastic culture, and some friendly neighborhoods to settle down in.

What are the best neighborhoods in Baton Rouge? Some of the best communities to live in Baton Rouge include South Baton Rouge, Perkins, Baker, and The Garden District. They provide some of the safest places to live and host many fun and memorable events as a community.

Louisiana is one of the most friendly places to live, and once moving there, you will never look back. People will greet you and ask how you are; the community you live in will be tight-knit and warming. Baton Rouge has many available jobs, nice houses, and many events. Who wouldn’t want to live here?

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Best Places To Live In Baton Rouge

We have selected some of the top-rated neighborhoods in Baton Rouge. How? We have researched and looked at property crime, violent crime, population, and all of the fun activities or history attached to each neighborhood. Here are the communities you will find out more about.

  • Brownsfield
  • Highlands/Perkins
  • Baker/Zachary
  • The Garden District
  • Jefferson
  • Sherwood Forest
  • Downtown
  • Goodwood

Each of these neighborhoods has low crime rates and nice housing. Follow along as we explore the safest places to live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

1. Brownsfield

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 478
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,754
  • Population: 34,810

Though this area does have minor crimes, most people would say it does not affect them or their families. It is a conservative area, where families choose to own homes rather than rent. This is a good place for anyone looking for a sparse urban community to call home. The neighbors tend to be tight-knit but very welcoming to those who move into the neighborhood.

This community focused on redevelopment, getting rid of all pollution and contamination, and working towards opening jobs in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a safe place to live with new opportunities, this may be the neighborhood for you. The median home value is $178,119, while the average rent in the area is $989.

2. Highlands/Perkins

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 8
  • Population: 58,933

This is a super dog-friendly neighborhood that has tons of amazing walks and easy parking for everyone. It’s quiet and one of the safest places to live in Baton Rouge. This is a great neighborhood to live in that is close to Louisiana State University. There are plenty of big parks to walk through, restaurants to try new food, and affordable houses.

There are an equal amount of renters and buyers because the prices are so reasonable. Overall the residents are super friendly and welcoming to newcomers, and it’s diverse because of the university nearby. The median home value in this neighborhood is $258,670, while the average rent is $1,059.

3. Baker/Zachary

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 79
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 635
  • Population: 43,880

If you are looking for a very private community in Louisiana, look no further. This is a quiet neighborhood great for people looking to settle down and own their homes. The public schools are highly rated in the area. This is the perfect place to settle if you need the big city convenience but need a small town to feel comfortable. It’s a short drive to downtown, but this small neighborhood has almost everything you need to never leave.

One of the best things about this area is that there are many properties for sale that can allow you to build your own home. This can be very appealing to many people and one of the biggest reasons people choose to move to this area away from the city. The median home value of this is $188,978, while the median rent is $1,018.

4. The Garden District

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 488
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,353
  • Population: 12,030

This is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Baton Rouge. This is a historic district that feels a little like New Orleans. It has many bike lanes running through the streets that make up this district, and it is a great place to stop and grab a coffee or a local breakfast. This is a booming area that is known to be more upbeat than other quiet neighborhoods.

It’s a great neighborhood for young professionals because it is closer to downtown but still limits danger and other threats. There is an equal amount of owners and buyers because the prices are so reasonable for this area. The median home value is $217,469, and the median rental price is $943.

5. Jefferson

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 439
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,530
  • Population: 32,873 

This neighborhood has a very suburban feel to it and various people who live here. There are tons of parks to walk around in, and the homes are affordably priced. The water systems are up to date, and the roads are kept clear and well paved. The school system is rated higher than average, and people love to send their kids to the local schools.

One of the best things about this neighborhood is how responsive the public departments are. If you need help, the community will respond very quickly. Most people choose to own homes in this neighborhood rather than rent, and you will find more houses for sale to own. The median home value of the Jefferson neighborhood is $274,859, and the median rental price is $1,164.

6. Sherwood Forest

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: N/A
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: N/A
  • Population: 37,942

Most people in this neighborhood will agree that it is an incredible place to live where kids can play outside, and everyone can take casual strolls. The yards are well kept and clean around the entire neighborhood, and the nightlife is fun for those looking to do activities or date nights.

Many people in this area are younger and lean towards the liberal side of politics. It is a nice suburban area that is moderately affordable. The median home value in this area is $171,937, while the average rent for a place is around $1,095. Most people choose to own in this neighborhood.

7. Downtown

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: N/A
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: N/A
  • Population: 1,641

Honestly, there are not many statistics about the true Downtown, but many people have voted it to be a safer place to reside in Baton Rouge. It is a crowded and very touristy area where the police are active and responsive. It’s a diverse area with many different people moving in and out of the downtown area. The nightlife is entertaining, and the bars are always open and ready to let in customers.

The school districts are not as highly rated in this area, leading to more single or young couples living in this area. Over 90% of people choose to rent in this area, and that is because there are tons of apartments up for grabs and fewer homes for sale. Downtown’s average rental price is $913 per month, while a home’s median value is $285,291.

8. Goodwood

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: N/A
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: N/A
  • Population: 5,918

Goodwood is between Jefferson Highways and Airline Highways and one of the most popular neighborhoods in Louisiana. There are numerous cafes and shops perfect for a morning cup of tea or a brunchtime margarita. This little neighborhood has been attracting many people. The average rent price is $1,085 and the median home value for this area is $415,220 which is much more expensive than other areas.

How To Stay Safe In Baton Rouge

Overall, Baton Rouge can be a risky area, depending on the neighborhood. The crime rate for all of Baton Rouge is 150% higher than the national average. There is a property crime rate of 11,673 and a violent crime rate of 2,066. All of this data means there is a 1 in 17 chance you will be a crime victim. So how can you stay safe? Here are some tips.

  • Avoid night walks- This may seem silly, but there is a higher chance of mugging occurring in the middle of the night, and you will want to avoid that.
  • Carry your belongings closely- Petty crime and pickpocketing happen in every city, and you will want to be on guard. Carry your stuff near, and don’t set it down anywhere.
  • Public transportation- Believe it or not, public transportation is very safe in Baton Rouge and one of the best ways to get around. Do not take rides from cars with no business signs.

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Related Questions

Is Baton Rouge safe?

Baton Rouge is a dangerous city, and you risk a 1 in 18 chance of property crime. There are 179 crimes per square mile in Baton Rouge, and most of them involve theft, vehicle theft, or robbery. Residents risk a 1 in 105 chance of suffering a violent crime in Baton Rouge.

Does Baton Rouge get hit by hurricanes?

Baton Rouge gets hit by hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane season lasts from June 1st through November 30th and affects coastal Louisiana, including Baton Rouge.

Our Takeaway

Louisiana does not typically do crime reports by neighborhood unless they have enough numbers to make it on a chart. That is why many people feel completely frustrated when researching Baton Rouge because it can get a tricky understanding of what neighborhoods to avoid.

Some areas are not safe that don’t even show up on the crime maps, places like Melrose Place, Victoria Gardens, and Fruit Town. These places may not show up on the crime map, but people who live in these areas tend to feel very unsafe.

Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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