Best Neighborhoods in New Orleans for Renters

New Orleans is a city where 18th-century Creole architecture lines the same block as a corner bar hosting a brass band on any given night. Situated along the Mississippi River, New Orleans is defined by its history, food culture, and year-round festivals that draw visitors from around the world.  

Beyond the well-known Bourbon Street and Royal Street, New Orleans is a city of distinct, walkable neighborhoods, each with its own identity. The combination of historic streetcar lines and rental options across a range of budgets makes New Orleans one of the more renter-friendly cities in the south.

If you’re looking to rent an apartment in New Orleans, there are plenty of neighborhoods to choose from. We’ve created a list of the best places to rent in New Orleans based on:

• Rental availability
• Average rent relative to other neighborhoods in the city
• Proximity to points of interest like work hubs, universities, downtown areas, shopping centers, or major parks
• Niche.com’s neighborhood report cards

The five best neighborhoods in New Orleans for renters are:

1. Downtown New Orleans
2. Warehouse District
3. French Quarter
4. Lower Garden District
5. Marigny

Downtown New Orleans

• Average 1-bedroom rent in New Orleans: $1,271/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Downtown New Orleans: $1,763/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Downtown New Orleans: 751 sq. ft.

Why Downtown New Orleans is good for renters

Downtown New Orleans puts renters at the center of the city's employment hub, with office towers, the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and the Convention Center all within easy reach. The Canal Street and St. Charles streetcar lines run through the area, connecting residents to Uptown, Mid-City, and other surrounding neighborhoods. Renters here have quick access to the Riverwalk, the Shops at Canal Place, and a growing number of restaurants and bars.

Keep in mind

Downtown can get loud and congested on event nights. Renters who prefer quieter evenings may want to look for units farther from the main streets.

Warehouse District

• Average 1-bedroom rent in New Orleans: $1,271/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Warehouse District: $1,991/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Warehouse District: 742 sq. ft.

Why the Warehouse District is good for renters

The Warehouse District, also known as the New Orleans Arts District, sits just south of the French Quarter and Downtown New Orleans. This neighborhood is home to some of the most distinctive apartment communities in New Orleans, many of them converted from 19^th-century warehouses and industrial buildings. Sights like the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Contemporary Arts Center, and Magazine Street’s shops and restaurants are nearby, keeping entertainment close to renters.

Keep in mind

The average rent in the Warehouse District is higher than citywide averages due to in-demand loft-style units in converted warehouse buildings.

French Quarter

• Average 1-bedroom rent in New Orleans: $1,271/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in the French Quarter: $2,131/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in the French Quarter: 728 sq. ft.

Why the French Quarter is good for renters

Living in the French Quarter means waking up to one of the most architecturally preserved neighborhoods in the country. Iron-lace balconies, hidden interior courtyards, and centuries-old buildings have housed residents long before tourism made the French Quarter famous. The French Market, Jackson Square, Café Du Monde, and the riverfront are all within walking distance, and the neighborhood's central location makes it easy to reach any other part of the city.

Keep in mind

The French Quarter is one of New Orlean’s most active tourist destinations, so renters can expect heavy foot traffic and noise throughout the year.

Lower Garden District

• Average 1-bedroom rent in New Orleans: $1,271/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Lower Garden District: $1,501/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Lower Garden District: 693 sq. ft.

Why Lower Garden District is good for renters

The Lower Garden District offers renters a more residential feel while staying close to the Central Business District (CBD) and the Warehouse District. The neighborhood is known for its architecturally distinct homes and a stretch of Magazine Street lined with independent coffee shops, vintage stores, and neighborhood restaurants. Coliseum Square Park provides a shaded green space, and the St. Charles streetcar line is easily accessible for commutes Uptown or into Downtown. Apartment communities here tend to occupy converted historic homes and smaller buildings that give the neighborhood a more community feel.

Keep in mind

While the Lower Garden District is more residential than neighborhoods closer to the river, housing, amenities, and neighborhood character can vary from street to street.  

Marigny

• Average 1-bedroom rent in New Orleans: $1,271/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Marigny: $1,776/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Marigny: 913 sq. ft.

Why Marigny is good for renters

Marigny sits just downriver from the French Quarter and has long been one of New Orleans' most creative neighborhoods. Frenchmen Street hosts live New Orleans jazz, blues, and funk at clubs like the Spotted Cat nearly every night of the week. Colorful Creole cottages and a range of apartment options in restored historic buildings make up much of the neighborhood. Crescent Park, which runs along the Mississippi River, is steps away and offers some of the best skyline views in the city.

Keep in mind

Frenchmen Street’s live music scene means renters should expect regular late-night noise.

Ready to Make the Move?

If New Orleans has caught your eye, take the next step with Apartments.com. Whether you’re drawn to the converted lofts in the Warehouse District or the balcony-lined streets of the French Quarter, Apartments.com has the tools to help you find the perfect place. Navigate housing across neighborhoods with our customized search engine and use our customizable filters to narrow down your search by price, amenities, and floor plan.

Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, the options are endless with Apartments.com.

Methodology

Rent and cost of living data are sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages and Cost of Living Calculator. Walkability, transit, drivability, and bikeability ratings are sourced from the Apartments.com Area Guides, courtesy of Local Logic.