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Moving Guides/Opelousas

Moving to Opelousas

What you need to know before relocating to Opelousas, Louisiana. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Opelousas a Good Place to Live?

Opelousas presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($41,393) trails the national median; violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average.

Opelousas at a Glance

Population
81K
Median Income
$41,393
Median Rent
$658/mo
Median Home Price
$114,100
Unemployment
4.4%
Avg Commute
28577 min

Cost of Living in Opelousas

The median rent in Opelousas is $658/month, while the median home value is $114,100. With a median household income of $41,393, residents spend roughly 19% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Opelousas metro area is classified as very affordable compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
53% below
Home Price vs. National Avg
63% below

Job Market

Opelousas has a median household income of $41,393, which is 44% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Opelousas

The violent crime rate in Opelousas is 548 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 2630 per 100,000 residents.

Education in Louisiana

Louisiana has a high school graduation rate of 87% and per-pupil spending of $13,760/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.

29% of Louisiana adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

Louisiana has 276 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 11.4% uninsured rate, and 3.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Louisiana is 74.9 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Opelousas

+Pros

  • ✓Rent ($658/mo) is below the national average
  • ✓Home prices ($114,100) are well below the US median

-Cons

  • ✗Median household income ($41,393) trails the national median
  • ✗Violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average
  • ✗Longer-than-average commute (28577 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Opelousas a good place to live?⌄

Opelousas has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($41,393) trails the national median and violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average against other lifestyle factors.

What is the cost of living in Opelousas?⌄

The median rent in Opelousas is $658/month and the median home value is $114,100. The median household income is $41,393. Overall the metro is considered very affordable.

Is Opelousas safe?⌄

Opelousas has a violent crime rate of 548 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Opelousas?⌄

Opelousas has an unemployment rate of 4.4%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $41,393.

Explore More About Opelousas