DeRidder, LA Cap Rate 4.43%
DeRidder is a budget-friendly market in the South with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 4.43% estimated cap rate, this is a moderate market where rents of $980/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $190,000 and population is roughly stable, DeRidder offers opportunities for investors who source deals carefully.
Market data powered by Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) · Updated Feb 2026
Market Data
2026 Market Update: DeRidder
DeRidder's 0.5% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $190,000, the $980/mo rent produces only $702/mo in NOI. Investors here need to target below-median properties or pursue value-add strategies to make the numbers work.
At current rates, a 20% down conventional loan ($38K at 7%) would result in approximately $-309/mo cash flow — negative at median prices. Larger down payments, seller financing, or buying 15–25% below median are strategies to turn the numbers positive.
The 16.2x gross rent multiplier and 6.7% vacancy rate position DeRidder as a balanced market. With annual appreciation at 2.1%, total returns (cash flow + equity growth) run approximately 6.5% before financing leverage.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for DeRidder
All figures below are computed from DeRidder's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 0.54% effective rate on the $190,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $1,026 — that's very low (bottom 15% of US markets) (-49% vs the national average of ~1.06%). Verify the actual assessed value before purchase; sale-triggered reassessments can push the bill higher than the seller's current statement.
5-Year Cap Rate Trajectory
If DeRidder continues appreciating at 2.1%/yr while rents grow at a conservative 3%/yr, cap rate holds roughly steady as price growth outpaces rent. Year-by-year projection at the median:
| Year | Est. Price | Est. Rent/Mo | Cap Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $190K | $980 | 4.4% |
| Year 1 | $194K | $1,009 | 4.5% |
| Year 2 | $198K | $1,040 | 4.5% |
| Year 3 | $202K | $1,071 | 4.6% |
| Year 4 | $206K | $1,103 | 4.6% |
| Year 5 | $211K | $1,136 | 4.6% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced DeRidder property — different capital structures. All-cash maximizes cap rate. Leverage trades cash flow for higher cash-on-cash return when the spread between cap rate and borrowing cost is positive.
| Scenario | Cash Invested | Monthly Cash Flow | Annual CF | Cash-on-Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All cash | $190K | $702 | $8,426 | 4.4% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $44K | $-309 | $-3,704 | -8.5% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $55K | $-394 | $-4,724 | -8.6% |
Three Price Tiers: Below, At, and Above the Median
Properties don't always trade at the median. Lower-priced units typically offer higher cap rates but harder operations; higher-priced properties tend to compress cap rates while attracting better tenants. All-cash assumptions below:
| Tier | Price | Rent/Mo | NOI/Yr | Cap Rate | Monthly CF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below median (~75% price) | $143K | $833 | $6,387 | 4.5% | $532 |
| At median | $190K | $980 | $7,304 | 3.8% | $609 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $238K | $1,127 | $8,222 | 3.5% | $685 |
Total Return Over a 5-Year Hold
Cap rate is just one piece. Real estate returns come from four sources: cash flow, appreciation, principal paydown, and tax benefits. Assuming 20% down conventional financing at 7% and a 5-year hold at DeRidder's historical appreciation rate of 2.1%:
On a $38K down payment, that's a 36.0% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to DeRidder
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to DeRidder, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — DeRidder
Pre-filled with DeRidder medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — DeRidder
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in DeRidder.
Is DeRidder a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
DeRidder, LA has a population of 50,000 and has been growing at 0.3% annually — roughly in line with national trends, meaning demand is stable but not exceptional. The median home price of $190,000 paired with median rents of $980/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 4.43%.
Property taxes at 0.54% are well below the national average of ~1.1%, providing a meaningful cash flow advantage many investors overlook. The vacancy rate of 6.7% is moderate and within normal parameters for a healthy rental market.
At a price-to-income ratio of 4.2x, homes cost about 4.2 times the local median income of $45,760. This relatively affordable ratio suggests a deep pool of renters who find buying out of reach, supporting rental demand. Home values have appreciated at roughly 2.1% annually. Steady appreciation means total returns will be primarily cash flow-driven — the more sustainable model for long-term wealth building.
Bottom line: DeRidder presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 4.43% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.