Best Real Estate Investments in Louisiana

Albany is home to the best residential real estate investment market in Louisiana.

The 70711 zip code in Albany presents the greatest opportunity for the best real estate investments among the 860 individual real estate markets in Louisiana we evaluated. We looked at property values, population trends, and six other metrics for each market. We used that data to calculate each market's InvestScore.

5 best places to invest in Louisiana

1. Albany

We've identified the 70711 zip code in Albany as Louisiana's best real estate investment market. Here's why.

🔎 Key data about Albany

Albany (zip code 70711) is the best residential real estate investment market in Louisiana. It has the 3rd highest property value appreciation among markets we evaluated, with a 35.06% appreciation of the typical property over the last five years.

Albany is the 42nd most affordable market among the 860 Louisiana markets we evaluated, with an affordability ratio of 2.6.

2. Downsville

The 71234 zip code in Downsville is the runner-up spot for the best real estate investments in Louisiana.

🔎 Key data about Downsville

The 71234 zip code in Downsville features a typical property value of $205,425, the 126th lowest in the state.

Property values have appreciated 24.46% over the past five years, the 39th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state. Downsville homes have an affordability ratio of 2.8, the 62nd most affordable in the state.

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3. Welsh

The 70591 zip code in Welsh comes in at No. 3 in our ranking of the best residential real estate investment markets in Louisiana.

🔎 Key data about Welsh

With a typical property value of $132,918, Welsh's 70591 zip code features the 47th lowest property values in the state.

Welsh homes have an affordability ratio of 1.6, the 5th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.

4. Addis

The 70710 zip code in Addis ranks No. 4 among Louisiana's residential real estate investment markets.

🔎 Key data about Addis

Property values in Addis's 70710 zip code have seen the 28th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state, with an appreciation of 25.68% over the past five years.

Addis's affordability ratio of 2.7 makes it the 46th most affordable among the 860 markets we evaluated.

5. Winnsboro

The 71295 zip code in Winnsboro rounds out our top five residential real estate investment markets in Louisiana.

🔎 Key data about Winnsboro

Property values in Winnsboro's 71295 zip code rose 26.96% over the last five years, ranking the city 23rd highest among evaluated markets in Louisiana.

Winnsboro homes have an affordability ratio of 2.5, the 40th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.

How we rank residential real estate markets in Louisiana

To determine the best real estate investments in Louisiana we evaluated 860 markets on eight metrics, and then assigned an InvestScore based on their weighted and combined rankings. Each market corresponds to a specific zip code in Louisiana.

What is InvestScore?

InvestScore is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the residential real estate investment potential of a given market. It takes into account a suite of key data points for each city.

• Typical property value: This measures the typical home value in this zip code, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. It reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range, including all homes, with the numbers smoothed and seasonally adjusted. We prefer lower property values, which indicate both more room for growth and a greater ease of purchase. We assign a weight of 20% to typical property values.
• Property value appreciation: This measures how much property values have increased in the area over the past five years, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. We prefer a higher appreciation, as it indicates better returns on housing. However, past performance isn't indicative of future results. We assign a weight of 20% to property value appreciation.
• Median household income: This is the inflation-adjusted median household income in the zip code, according to U.S. Census American Community Survey data. We prefer a higher household income, as it indicates local residents have more income to spend on housing. We assign a weight of 10% to median household income.
• Affordability ratio: This is the ratio of the typical home value to the median household income in the area. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home, which indicates higher demand. We assign a weight of 15% to the affordability ratio.
• Population growth: This is how much the area's population has grown over the past five years, according to U.S. Census estimates. Higher is better, as it indicates residents are moving into the area at a rapid clip. We assign a weight of 10% to population growth.
• Unemployment rate: This is the unemployment rate in the area, according to U.S. Census data. We prefer a lower rate, as it indicates the availability of steady employment in the area, meaning residents will find it much easier to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to unemployment rate.
• Property tax: This is the median real estate property tax paid in the area, according to U.S. Census estimates. We assign a weight of 10% to property tax.
• Educational attainment: This is the percentage of residents in the area that have obtained a bachelor's degree or better, according to U.S. Census estimates. We prefer a higher rate because it indicates  local residents who have higher earning potential and thus should be able to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to educational attainment.

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