The 15 Safest Neighborhoods In New Orleans: 2022's Ultimate List

Whether you’re visiting New Orleans or planning on relocating to the city, the first thing that comes to mind when choosing a neighborhood to stay in is likely safety. When it comes to New Orleans, crime rates are notoriously high; the city even earned the seventeenth slot on CBS News’ “ The most dangerous cities in America, ranked.” So, if planning a visit or moving to the Big Easy, what are the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans?

Lake Shore, West End, Audubon, Lakeview, and Lakewood are the safest areas in New Orleans, according to data. These areas are the safest and most livable neighborhoods and their safety ratings are 90 – 96% greater than the rest of the city. East Carollton, Navarre, and Old Aurora are all considered to be safe neighborhoods as well.

In 2017, the murder rate in The Big Easy was a staggering 40 per 100K residents, with over 100 murders every year since 1966. That number has dropped significantly from a high of 400 per year in the mid-1990s. But New Orleans still has one of the highest murder rates in the nation.

When you compare New Orleans to other cities of a similar size and population, the crime rate in New Orleans is considerably higher than average. The city has one of the highest rates of property crime, violent crime, murder, and motor vehicle theft in the nation, according to FBI crime data.

Despite grim statistics, The Big Easy is still worth a visit and can be a great place to settle down as long as you know where to go, how to act, and which neighborhoods to steer clear of. I’m sure you already know that NOLA is the place for jazz music, Cajun cuisine, and Mardi Gras.

Lake Shore/ Lake Vista is a neighborhood in New Orleans that is a subdistrict of the Lakeview District Area. With the lowest overall crime rate, Lake Shore/Lake Vista is the safest neighborhood in New Orleans.

Residents of this neighborhood get to enjoy many surrounding parks and Lake Pontchartrain on its northern border. Lake Vista is famous for its street names named after borders and homes that face a lane/sidewalk instead of a street.

In terms of livability, Lake Shore/Lake Vista outperforms the rest of the city by 94 percent. This area of New Orleans is 96 percent safer than the rest of the city. The median purchase price of a property in the area is $440,800, and the average rent is $658, according to data.

Sometimes referred to as West Lakeview, West End is a subdistrict of the Lakeview District Area in New Orleans. This neighborhood is slightly removed from city life and can be a great place to raise a family. Stretching from Lake Pontchartrain to Veterans Blvd, West End is a unique blend of single-family homes, townhouses, high-rise condos, and waterfront boathouses.

Its close proximity to Lakeview allows residents to take advantage of all the amenities without the high cost of living associated with more urban locations. The New Canal Lighthouse is situated right on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain and complements West End’s nautical ambiance.

In terms of livability, West End outperforms neighboring New Orleans neighborhoods by 91 percent. This area of New Orleans is 93 percent safer than the rest of the city. According to research, the average rent in the neighborhood is $1,191, and the median purchase price is $181,000.

Audubon is famous for being the University section of Uptown New Orleans, as it contains both Loyola and Tulane universities. Student-occupied properties surround the universities, while the adjacent streets feature some of the most exceptional real estate in the city.

Residents enjoy the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Park, the Audubon Golf Course, and plenty of other outdoor adventures. You’ll see plenty of foot traffic in this community, with strollers, students, bikers, and joggers exploring the area. Audubon is the second safest neighborhood in New Orleans.

Audubon outperforms other New Orleans neighborhoods by 93 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 92 percent safer than other nearby neighborhoods. Statistics show that the median price of a home in the area is $625,889, with an average rent of $1,331.

Lakeview is a subdistrict of the Lakeview District Area and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the community was home to more seniors who had lived in Lakeview for generations. Nowadays, the area has seen a huge surge in construction, more modern houses, and increasing interest in those who grew up in the area and have decided to return.

Nestled alongside City Park, Lakeview offers the opportunity to wander the paths of the stunning Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a part of New Orleans Museum of Art, or visit the nearby beloved family amusement park, Storyland. The lakefront is dotted with marinas, sailboats, and popular seafood restaurants to enjoy.

Lakeview is 83 percent more livable than neighboring New Orleans neighborhoods. In addition, this neighborhood is 91 percent safer than the rest of the city. The median purchase price of a property in the area is $366,393, with an average rent of $1,480, according to figures.

The Lakewood neighborhood is a subdistrict of the Lakeview District Area and is to both the Parish line and West End, spanning both sides of the I-10 freeway. The interstate cuts the neighborhood into two separate areas: Lakewood South and Lakewood North.

Residents of Lakewood enjoy low traffic due to the lack of through streets in the neighborhood. The area was initially housed by the Lakewood Country Club prior to most residential construction. However, the country club was relocated with the completion of the I-10 and I-610 routes in the 1960s.

Lakewood exceeds other New Orleans neighborhoods by 75 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 90 percent safer than comparable neighborhoods. The median purchase price of a home in the area is $472,767, and the average rent is $759, according to statistics.

Algiers Point is New Orleans’ second oldest neighborhood and some say the city’s best-kept secret. The small community of roughly 3,000 is the only part of New Orleans that exists on the other side of the Mississippi River. Though, it is a part of the larger Algiers neighborhood or 15th Ward.

Algiers Point is the ideal destination for those looking for a respite and a condensed version of traditional New Orleans. Here you’ll find Greek Revivals, Shotguns, Queen Anne’s, Italiantes, Creole Cottages, and virtually any type of New Orleans architecture you can imagine.

This neighborhood has a livability rating of 71 percent higher than the surrounding New Orleans communities. Furthermore, compared to the rest of the city, this neighborhood is 88 percent safer. The median purchase price of a home in the neighborhood is $285,800, with an average rent of $937, according to statistics.

Located in Eastern New Orleans, the Village de L’Est neighborhood is known for its large Vietnamese community. The community is also referred to as Versailles, as the earliest migrants to the area after 1975 initially settled in the Versailles Arms apartment complex. Often called “Little Vietnam,” this neighborhood offers a variety of family-owned Vietnamese restaurants.

This area is also home to the locally popular Vietnamese Farmers’ Market. Though it is a small community, it boasts a crime rate that is 50% lower than the state average and 26% lower than the national average.

This village outperforms other New Orleans neighborhoods by 31 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 84 percent safer than other neighborhoods. The median price of a home in the area is $102,414, with an average rent of $879, according to statistics.

East Carollton’s population has been rapidly increasing in recent years, thanks to low crime rates and excellent amenities. The schools are fantastic, but housing is prohibitively expensive.

East Carollton is more appealing than ever, with crime rates 56 percent lower than the New Orleans norm. You’d have to make sure, though, that you’re willing to pay the mortgage price.

In terms of livability, East Carollton outperforms neighboring New Orleans neighborhoods by 61 percent. This area of New Orleans is 83 percent safer than the rest of the city. According to research, the average rent in the neighborhood is $1,080, and the median purchase price is $386,800.

The Navarre New Orleans neighborhood is a subdistrict of the Lakeview District Area, situated adjacent to City Park. Since the majority of the community’s streets are tucked away and off the main thoroughfares, this area is a true hidden gem. Although many folks don’t drive through Navarre, it still has plenty to offer visitors and potential future residents.

The southwest corner of the neighborhood is anchored by Greenwood Cemetery and hosts some of the beautiful above-ground tombs in New Orleans. Navarre also has two parks, City Park and Delgado Park, that offer plenty of green space.

Navarre has a livability rating of 28 percent higher than the surrounding communities. Furthermore, compared to the rest of New Orleans, this neighborhood is 81 percent safer. The median purchase price of a home in the neighborhood is $287,400, with an average rent of $1,258, according to statistics.

A subdistrict of the Gentilly District Area, Gentilly Woods is a neighborhood that sits right below the Pontchartrain Park subdivision. Built in the 1950s, this subdivision consists of affordable single-family homes and is relatively close to the University of New Orleans and Southern University.

Gentilly Woods is primarily residential and offers a suburban feel with some fast food and retail options along the Chef Menteur Highway boundary. Running errands in Gentilly Woods will likely require the use of a car or public transportation.

Gentilly Woods outperforms other New Orleans communities by 61 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 78 percent safer than the rest of the city. According to statistics, the average property in the area costs $133,650 to buy, and the average rent is $814.

Tucked inside of the Algiers District, Old Aurora’s friendly neighbors and historic bungalows make it one of the best neighborhoods to live in New Orleans. This area is notorious for having affordable, spacious homes, and you can generally expect to get more square footage for the price when compared to other communities.

The neighborhood is just across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter, which can be accessed quickly by way of the Algiers Point ferry. Residents enjoy stunning views of the Downtown New Orleans skyline, lovely local Victorian architecture, a quieter way of life, and oak-lined streets.

Old Aurora exceeds other New Orleans neighborhoods by 94 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 75 percent safer than comparable neighborhoods. The median purchase price of a home in the area is $148,818, and the average rent is $840, according to statistics.

If you’re seeking for a more delightful place to stay in New Orleans, look near Marlyville-Fontainebleau. Houses here can cost well over a million dollars, but the surrounding community and facilities are also priced accordingly.

You’ll also get to reside in one of the city’s safest neighborhoods. Despite having a somewhat higher population of around 6,000 people, it is a strong candidate for anyone looking for a place to call home.

Marlyville-Fontainebleau outperforms other New Orleans neighborhoods by 49 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 73 percent safer than other nearby neighborhoods. Statistics show that the median price of a home in the area is $341,450, with an average rent of $1,146.

A simple stroll through the Garden District will have you wishing to relocate. It’s an understatement to say it’s stunning. The streets of the Garden District are lined with some of the most beautiful homes in all of New Orleans. And the walk you’re on right now is probably safe, calm, and even soothing.

One of NOLA’s best neighborhoods for permanent residence is the Garden District. If you can’t locate your ideal home here, you may not be able to find it anyplace else.

In terms of livability, Garden District outperforms the rest of the city by 69 percent. This area of New Orleans is 64 percent safer than the rest of the city. The median purchase price of a property in the area is $628,700, and the average rent is $920, according to data.

Touro is a rental community, and it attracts a mix of young professionals and retirees alike. Because it caters more to the younger members of the population, you’ll find plenty of good nightlife and diversity here.

While there are housing options here, they aren’t as affordable compared to renting. It’s also likely due to the rate of property crimes here, which is higher than the national average. Even with that, Touro remains to be one of the safest in all of New Orleans. It’s certainly well worth a try if you are looking for something temporary to rent.

Touro outperforms other New Orleans neighborhoods by 54 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 46 percent safer than other nearby neighborhoods. The median price of a home in the area is $522,400, with an average rent of $1,097, according to statistics.

Fischer Dev is a 2,945-people-strong neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. In Orleans Parish, Fischer Dev is located. Locals in Fischer Dev enjoy a mix of urban and suburban living, with the majority of residents renting their homes. There are numerous bars and coffee shops in Fischer Dev. Fischer Dev is a liberal neighborhood with a lot of families.

Fischer Dev outperforms other New Orleans communities by 56 percent livability. This neighborhood is 45 percent safer than the rest of New Orleans. According to statistics, the average property in the area costs $95,667 to buy, and the average rent is $514.