First-time homebuyers hop into Rayne for convenience and affordability
The small city of Rayne is located in rural Acadiana, about 15 miles from Lafayette . Farms surround the town, cultivating sugar, rice, crawfish and, once upon a time, frogs. The unique offering once helped the city distinguish itself, but the frog farms have mostly closed down. Today, Rayne’s quick access to Lafayette via Interstate 10 and its relative affordability have helped it appeal to first-time homebuyers. “There’s a large amount of local people living and buying in town,” says Jessica Lafitte Landry, a Realtor with NextHome Cutting Edge Realty who has worked in local real estate for nearly a decade. “With the younger generation, I’ve seen a good bit of younger kids buying their first homes in Rayne.”
Cottages and bungalows in town, plus larger ranch-style homes
Narrow gridded streets make up much of Rayne. Cottages, bungalows and ranch-style homes have fenced-off yards, and cars tend to park in driveways or under carports. Homes often have larger lots on the outskirts of town, where there is also some newer development. Smaller bungalows and cottages sell for $50,000 to $150,000, and larger ranch-style houses sell for $150,000 to $390,000. The city’s median sales price of $153,000 is roughly $100,000 lower than the median in Lafayette.
Acadia Parish Schools located within Rayne
Rayne is zoned to Acadia Parish Schools, which receives an overall B grade from Niche. Students can start at Central Rayne Kindergarten School, which gets a B-plus, followed by Martin Petitjean Elementary, rated B-minus. South Rayne Elementary gets a B, and Armstrong Middle gets a C-plus. B-rated Rayne High School offers opportunities for students to earn college credit through dual enrollment programs and College Level Examination Program exams.
Festivals celebrate the Frog Capital of the World
In the late 19th century, entrepreneurs in Rayne jumped at the opportunity to provide New Orleans restaurants with an exotic delicacy: frog legs. The impressive output inspired the city to claim the title of Frog Capital of the World. Eventually, the industry lost its legs, but amphibian sculptures still dot the town. “They’re at a lot of businesses,” Landry says. “I saw a friend just had a new one put up at his business, and it has his business’s name on it.” The Rayne Frog Festival hops into town each spring to celebrate the city’s claim to fame. The weekend festival features local bands, food vendors, a pageant and themed events like a frog croaking contest.
Quick commutes to Lafayette via Interstate 10
Interstate 10 runs through Rayne, leading to the region’s largest city, Lafayette. Residents often commute the 18 miles into the city. “It’s literally 15 minutes to the west of Lafayette, which a lot of people like,” Landry says. “You can hop on the interstate and, bam, you’re in Lafayette for work and conveniences like shopping.” While the Acadia Parish Council on Aging provides transit services for seniors, most residents drive to their destinations. Lafayette Regional Airport offers the nearest commercial flights. Ochsner Acadia General Hospital is 6 miles in the other direction in Crowley .
Shopping centers just off I-10, plus restaurants in town
The Rayne Plaza Shopping Center is just off Interstate 10, near various fast-food restaurants. The mall’s Super 1 Foods serves the community with groceries, while Casa Margarita is a local favorite for Mexican cuisine. Gabe’s Cajun Food and Chef Roy’s Frog City Cafe each serve the local delicacy alongside other Cajun specialties. More businesses, including the Crawfish Hut Bar & Grill, are closer to the town center.
Recreation at Rayne's parks, including Gossen Memorial Park
The largest park in Rayne is Gossen Memorial Park, on the city’s north side. The facility includes several baseball and softball fields, a pair of recently resurfaced basketball courts and two small playgrounds, plus a walking path. Several smaller parks are scattered throughout the rest of the city, including Mauboules Park and its tennis courts, playground and tee-ball fields. Southside Park and Community Center has an indoor event space, an outdoor picnic pavilion, and plenty of playground equipment throughout its fenced-in yard.
Parts of Rayne within FEMA flood zones
Floods can affect the city of Rayne. In 2025, heavy rain impacted the city and damaged nearly a third of the homes in the community. Parts of Rayne are within FEMA-designated flood zones, and residents may be required to maintain flood insurance.
