New Orleans, LA
The Big Easy - events-driven STR demand year-round
New Orleans is one of the most event-dense STR markets in the US - Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, and dozens of conventions fill hotel rooms (and STRs) year-round. The French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods carry the most demand, though city regulations require an STR permit and limit licenses in residential areas. Approved properties perform at some of the highest occupancy rates nationally.
Estimated Annual Performance
* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.
Why Investors Choose New Orleans
New Orleans STR investing, answered
Is New Orleans, LA a good short-term rental market?
New Orleans is a Southeast STR market averaging a 10.4% cap rate, 71% annual occupancy, and $320/night across STR-viable listings. New Orleans is one of the most event-dense STR markets in the US - Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, and dozens of conventions fill hotel rooms (and STRs) year-round. The French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods carry the most demand, though city regulations require an STR permit and limit licenses in residential areas. Approved properties perform at some of the highest occupancy rates nationally.
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in New Orleans?
STR-viable properties in New Orleans average about 71% occupancy across the year. Peak season is Feb (Mardi Gras), Apr-May (Jazz Fest), Oct. Occupancy here reflects availability-adjusted booking performance, not raw calendar occupancy, so it represents what a full-time operated rental can realistically achieve.
How much do short-term rentals earn in New Orleans?
At $320/night and 71% occupancy, a typical New Orleans STR grosses roughly $82,928 per year before expenses, leaving an estimated $49,757 in net operating income against a $480K average price, an implied 10.4% cap rate. Individual results depend on property, amenities, and management.
What types of properties work best for STR in New Orleans?
The strongest-performing STR property types in New Orleans are Shotgun House, Creole Cottage, Condo, Townhouse. Mardi Gras weeks see 4-6× normal ADR. Matching the local guest profile and the amenities that drive bookings in this market matters more than raw square footage.
What is the median STR-viable home price in New Orleans?
STR-viable listings in New Orleans average around $480K. Primary STR ZIP codes include 70116, 70117, 70119. Combined with the market's 10.4% average cap rate, that price level sets the return baseline you'd underwrite against.
Market averages, not guarantees. Cap rates, occupancy, and nightly rates are market-wide averages based on active STR listings and historical data. Individual property performance depends on location, amenities, management, and listing quality. Always run a full underwriting analysis before purchasing.
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