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City Report · LA

Opelousas

Pop. 15,495·44th most expensive in Louisiana·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$994/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.9%
vs US Median
-$971
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Opelousas · $994
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $994/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$32,964/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Opelousas's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$700
1 BR
$710
2 BR
$930
3 BR
$1,190
4 BR+
$1,380
Research median
$930/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$11,928/yr
At $994/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Opelousas, LA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 10.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,495
Median income
$32,964
Median age
37.1
Renters
47.2%
Age distribution
25.2%
22.3%
25.3%
16.7%
Under 1825.2%
18–3422.3%
35–5425.3%
55–6410.6%
65+16.7%
Gender
45.9%
54.1%
Male45.9%
Female54.1%
Race & ethnicity
16.6%
78%
White16.6%
Black78%
Hispanic2.9%
Other2.5%
Education (25+)
19.4%
40.5%
29.4%
No HS diploma19.4%
HS diploma40.5%
Some college29.4%
Bachelor's+10.7%
Housing tenure
52.8%
47.2%
Owner52.8%
Renter47.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Opelousas, LA has changed in 5 years

Income
$33,272 → $32,964
down 0.9%
Population
15,884 → 15,495
down 2.4%
Renter share
48.6% → 47.2%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
13.7% → 10.7%
-3.0 pts
Median age
34.5 → 37.1
+2.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $33,272 to $32,964 across the same window, down 0.9% versus 2021. Census counts show Opelousas, LA losing about 389 residents over the five-year window, down 2.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 13.7% to 10.7% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Opelousas

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View Opelousas rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Opelousas on your salary?

At $994/mo, how Opelousas rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Opelousas rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Opelousas. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Opelousas

About renting in Opelousas, LA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Opelousas is $994/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $700/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $710/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($32,964/yr), Opelousas ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Opelousas an affordable city for renters?

Opelousas is considered moderate for renters. At $994/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($32,964/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Opelousas slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Opelousas?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $994/mo in Opelousas. The local median household income is $32,964/yr, meaning the typical Opelousas household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Opelousas?

Rent in Opelousas has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Opelousas rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Opelousas is one of the more affordable cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #44 out of 44 tracked cities at $994/mo.

What percentage of Opelousas residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.2% of Opelousas households are renters, while 52.8% are owner-occupied. Opelousas leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Opelousas rent compare to the national average?

Opelousas's median rent of $994/mo is $971 (49%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #44 out of 44 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $994/mo, rent takes ~36% of Opelousas's median household income ($32,964/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Opelousas 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.85–4.25%
Run the Opelousas affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Opelousas
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Opelousas, LA

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