%
CapRateCity
Free cap rate calculators for every US market
MarketsLouisianaOpelousasRental Property Investment Guide

Rental Property Investment Guide: Opelousas, LA

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Opelousas, LA

Cap Rate
6.58%
Median Price
$130K
Rent/Mo
$920
1% Rule
0.71%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Opelousas sits in the South with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.3% annually. The median home costs $130,000 while rents average $920/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 6.58%. This puts Opelousas in the upper tier of investable US markets.

Who Should Invest Here

Opelousas is ideal for cash flow investors, BRRRR practitioners, and anyone building a portfolio of affordable, income-producing rentals. The low price point ($130,000) means you can get started with a $26,000 down payment, and the 6.58% cap rate should produce positive cash flow even with conservative financing.

Deal Criteria for Opelousas

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $130,000 median — around $104,000 or less. At this price point with $920/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 8.6%. Factor in 0.54% property taxes ($702/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 6.7% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $850.

Risks and Considerations

Every deal should be evaluated individually using our calculator tools. Median data provides a starting point; actual returns depend on the specific property, financing, and your management approach.

Next Steps

Run the numbers on a specific Opelousas property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Opelousas data). Compare Opelousas against similar markets in the South region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

Sponsored · Want to analyze a specific property? DealCheck imports real listing data and runs the full analysis for you.
Try Free →

How Opelousas Compares

Opelousas vs Louisiana state average and national average across key investment metrics. Opelousas outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.

Metric
Opelousas
Louisiana Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
6.58%
5.85%
3.81%
Median Price
$130K
$190K
$333K
Median Rent
$920
$1,203
$1,524
Property Tax
0.54%
0.54%
1.08%
Vacancy
6.7%
6.7%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.3%/yr
0.3%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Opelousas, LA
6.6%
$130K
$920
0.54%
Lumberton, NC
7.6%
$130K
$1,050
0.78%
Duncan, OK
6.9%
$135K
$1,030
0.88%
Martinsville, VA
5.8%
$135K
$880
0.86%
Weirton, WV
6.0%
$125K
$830
0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Opelousas, LA a good place to invest in rental property?
Opelousas has an estimated cap rate of 6.58%, which is above the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $130K and rents of $920/mo, Opelousas offers strong cash flow fundamentals for rental investors. Population growth of 0.3% and 6.7% vacancy rate suggest moderate rental demand.
What is the average cap rate in Opelousas?
The estimated cap rate for Opelousas is 6.58%, based on median home prices of $130K, median rents of $920/mo, a 0.54% property tax rate, and 6.7% vacancy. This compares to a 5.85% average across Louisiana and 3.81% nationally. Cap rates for individual properties will vary based on purchase price, actual rents, and property condition.
How much does a rental property cost in Opelousas?
The median home price in Opelousas is $130,000, which is 61% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $26,000. Investment properties in Opelousas range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Opelousas property taxes for investors?
Opelousas's effective property tax rate is 0.54%, which is above the Louisiana average of 0.54% and below the national average of 1.08%. On a $130K property, annual taxes are approximately $702 ($59/mo). Low property taxes are a significant cash flow advantage here.
Full Opelousas Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Opelousas & Related Markets

More Opelousas Guides

Rent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideCost of Living & AffordabilityAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

Similar Markets in the South

Clewiston, FL$275K · $1,990/mo
6.6%
Florence, SC$185K · $1,300/mo
6.6%
Paducah, KY$170K · $1,220/mo
6.5%
London, KY$155K · $1,130/mo
6.6%
Danville, VA$160K · $1,150/mo
6.5%
The CapRateCity Report
Weekly market analysis: highest cap rate cities, emerging markets, and deal breakdowns. Free, no spam.