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Best Cities for Rental Property in Louisiana

13 Louisiana cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across Louisiana markets is 5.9%, with median home prices averaging $190K and rents averaging $1,203/mo. Fort Polk South leads with a 7.3% cap rate at a $160K median price. Louisiana's low average property tax rate of 0.54% gives investors a significant cash flow advantage.

5.9%
Avg Cap Rate
$190K
Avg Price
$1,203/mo
Avg Rent
13
Cities Tracked

Louisiana Rental Market Analysis

Louisiana offers 13 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 5.9% is above the 3.81% national average, making Louisiana an attractive state for cash flow investors. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: Louisiana home prices average $190K, which is 43% below the national average of $333K. Rents average $1,203/mo. The most affordable entry point is Opelousas at $130K, while Fort Polk South offers the highest cap rate at 7.3%.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 0.54% across Louisiana, below the 1.08% national average — a meaningful cash flow advantage that adds roughly $1,025 per year to NOI on an average-priced property. Lafayette has the lowest rate at 0.52%.Vacancy averages 6.7%, in line with national norms.

Growth outlook: Population growth across Louisiana averages 0.31% per year, led by Lafayette at 0.6%. Home values are appreciating at 2.1% annually on average. Moderate growth provides a stable demand foundation.

Bottom line: Louisiana is one of the stronger states for rental property investing, with above-average cap rates and low taxes. Focus on the top-performing cities for the best risk-adjusted returns.

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How Louisiana Compares to National Averages

Metric
Louisiana
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
5.9%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$190K
$333K
Avg Rent
$1,203/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
0.54%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
6.7%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.31%/yr
0.92%/yr

Louisiana Cities by Cap Rate Tier

7% – 8% (2)6% – 7% (4)5% – 6% (4)4% – 5% (3)

All 13 Louisiana Cities Ranked

1
Fort Polk South, LA7.3% cap rate
$160K median$1,230/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
2
Houma, LA7.1% cap rate
$175K median$1,320/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
3
Shreveport, LA6.9% cap rate
$175K median$1,300/mo rent0.54% tax-0.3% growth
4
Opelousas, LA6.6% cap rate
$130K median$920/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
5
Monroe, LA6.4% cap rate
$160K median$1,100/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
6
Lafayette, LA6.3% cap rate
$195K median$1,330/mo rent0.52% tax0.6% growth
7
Alexandria, LA5.8% cap rate
$160K median$1,020/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
8
New Orleans, LA5.6% cap rate
$255K median$1,580/mo rent0.55% tax0.4% growth
9
Hammond, LA5.3% cap rate
$220K median$1,310/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
10
Lake Charles, LA5.3% cap rate
$195K median$1,150/mo rent0.54% tax0.4% growth
11
Baton Rouge, LA5.0% cap rate
$240K median$1,350/mo rent0.56% tax0.5% growth
12
DeRidder, LA4.4% cap rate
$190K median$980/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth
13
Ruston, LA4.1% cap rate
$215K median$1,050/mo rent0.54% tax0.3% growth

Other South States

Mississippi (9 cities · 6.3% avg)West Virginia (10 cities · 5.9% avg)Alabama (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Oklahoma (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Georgia (26 cities · 5.0% avg)South Carolina (15 cities · 4.9% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Louisiana a good state for rental property investing?
Louisiana has an average cap rate of 5.9% across 13 cities, which is above the national average of 3.81%. The best-performing city is Fort Polk South at 7.3%. Average home prices of $190K offer affordable entry points. Property taxes at 0.54% are investor-friendly.
What is the best city to buy rental property in Louisiana?
Fort Polk South leads Louisiana with a 7.3% cap rate, $160K median price, and $1,230/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Lafayette (0.6% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in Louisiana?
Property taxes in Louisiana average 0.54%, which is below the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Lafayette at 0.52%. On an average-priced home of $190K, annual taxes are approximately $1,027.
How many Louisiana cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 13 Louisiana cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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