Lafayette
Investment Analysis

Lafayette, LA
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

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City-level screening

22.2x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
4.5%
Recorded YoY field
-0.5%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$245,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$921/mo
Median Income
$61,258
Population
121,452

Housing Screening Context

Lafayette has a computed screening multiple of 22.2x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 4.5%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: -0.5%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $921
Annual Gross $11,052

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$306
Insurance (~0.5%) -$102
Maintenance (~1%) -$204
Est. Net Cash Flow $309/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Lafayette Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
โžก๏ธ Stable
PROJECTEDNOW$227K2027$226Kโ–ผ 0.5%2028$226Kโ–ผ 0.6%20232024Now
$245K$211K
Current
$245K
2026
Projected
$226K
โ†“ 0.5% by 2027
Projected
$226K
โ†“ 0.6% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+1.2%
Confidence:Low
Rยฒ:0.01
โ–ผ

For those eyeing the Lafayette housing market forecast through 2028, the data suggests a period of stabilization rather than dramatic shifts. The current median home price sits at $218,713, having seen a slight dip of -0.1% year-over-year. This cooling aligns with the broader national trend of rebalancing after the post-pandemic surge. However, the local economy, heavily tied to the energy sector and education, provides a unique floor for prices. With a price-to-rent ratio of 18.7xโ€”just above the national averageโ€”the market leans neutral, making the decision to buy or rent a toss-up depending on personal timelines.

Will Lafayette home prices drop significantly in the coming years? The indicators point toward a "soft landing" rather than a crash. The market temperature of 59/100 and a low risk grade of A suggest resilience, supported by a healthy 5-year price change of 6.9% (CAGR 1.3%). While inventory levels and days on market (currently 53) will influence short-term volatility, the region's affordability relative to coastal metros offers a buffer. Growth in the healthcare and tech sectors at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette could provide modest upward pressure on demand, countering any broader economic headwinds.

Looking toward Lafayette real estate Lafayette 2027, we anticipate a period of sideways movement with slight appreciation, likely tracking inflation. The price range over the last five years has been relatively tight ($204,169 โ€“ $227,951), indicating a stable, if unspectacular, trajectory. Affordability will remain a key driver; if wages keep pace with modest price increases, the market should avoid any drastic corrections. Ultimately, this forecast calls for patience. Buyers shouldn't expect a steep discount, but sellers may need to price competitively. The neutral verdict holds: Lafayette is a steady, long-term hold rather than a speculative flip.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
3.0%
5yr CAGR
+1.2%

Job Market

Unemployment 4.3%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +0.8%

Healthcare

63
Score
Below Avg

Risk Factors

High Crime Area
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 97.6%
Months Supply 3.8
Price Drops 31%
Gone in 2 Wks 28%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Lafayette.

Total ROI
-114%
on $49,000 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$56,001
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$1,015
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y151kY253kY355kY458kY560k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$56,001
Final Equity
$60,486

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for Lafayette

Property

Purchase Price$245,000
Monthly Rent$921
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$938
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$11,257/ year
-23.0%
Cash-on-Cash
1.5%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$921
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,239
โˆ’ Property Tax$245
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$204
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$46
= Net Cash Flow-$938

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$49,000
Loan Amount
$196,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$1,859
Gross Yield
4.5%

Investor Toolkit

Research Lafayette before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026