Allen Parish's composite score of 74.9 places it well above the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a parish that delivers above-average livability across key quality-of-life dimensions.
2 / 5
Louisiana's top performers include Allen
With a composite score of 74.9, Allen Parish ranks above the Louisiana state average of 70.4, placing it among the state's better-performing parishes. This above-average standing makes Allen a competitive choice for Louisiana residents seeking enhanced livability.
3 / 5
Tax and cost advantages lead the way
Allen Parish shines with Louisiana's lowest effective tax rate at 0.180% (tax score: 97.2) and highly affordable housing with median home values of just $110,800 (cost score: 88.5). Median rent of $739 per month further demonstrates how budget-friendly this parish remains for both renters and homeowners.
4 / 5
Low incomes offset housing affordability gains
An income score of 16.8 and median household income of $51,138 reveal that Allen Parish residents earn considerably less than regional and national averages. This income constraint can limit quality-of-life improvements and educational opportunities, despite the parish's exceptional housing affordability.
5 / 5
Ideal for value-seeking families and seniors
Allen Parish best suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and ultra-affordable housing over high local wage potential. The combination of Louisiana's best tax rates and deeply affordable real estate makes it attractive to those with fixed or external income sources.
Allen Parish's composite score of 74.9 places it well above the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a parish that delivers above-average livability across key quality-of-life dimensions.
Louisiana's top performers include Allen
With a composite score of 74.9, Allen Parish ranks above the Louisiana state average of 70.4, placing it among the state's better-performing parishes. This above-average standing makes Allen a competitive choice for Louisiana residents seeking enhanced livability.
Tax and cost advantages lead the way
Allen Parish shines with Louisiana's lowest effective tax rate at 0.180% (tax score: 97.2) and highly affordable housing with median home values of just $110,800 (cost score: 88.5). Median rent of $739 per month further demonstrates how budget-friendly this parish remains for both renters and homeowners.
Low incomes offset housing affordability gains
An income score of 16.8 and median household income of $51,138 reveal that Allen Parish residents earn considerably less than regional and national averages. This income constraint can limit quality-of-life improvements and educational opportunities, despite the parish's exceptional housing affordability.
Ideal for value-seeking families and seniors
Allen Parish best suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and ultra-affordable housing over high local wage potential. The combination of Louisiana's best tax rates and deeply affordable real estate makes it attractive to those with fixed or external income sources.
Score breakdown
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🏛97.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.180%, Allen Parish has one of the lowest effective tax rates in the nation, ranking in the bottom 10% of counties. Annual property taxes average just $199 per homeowner—less than 7% of the national median of $2,690.
The lowest-taxed parish in Louisiana
Allen Parish's effective rate of 0.180% is less than half the state average of 0.421%. Its median property tax bill of $199 is the lowest we're tracking in Louisiana, making it an outlier even by state standards.
Significantly lower than regional peers
Allen's 0.180% rate substantially undercuts neighboring Acadia Parish (0.304%) and Beauregard Parish (0.331%). Even compared to Avoyelles Parish (0.203%), Allen remains among the state's most tax-friendly parishes.
Minimal annual property tax burden
On Allen's median home value of $110,800, owners pay just $199 per year in property taxes—about $17 monthly. Even with mortgage-related fees included, the total reaches only around $544 annually.
Appeal opportunities still exist
Despite already-low rates, some Allen Parish homeowners may be overassessed relative to comparable properties in their area. An appeal through the parish assessor's office is free and can result in meaningful savings.
Allen Parish beats the national affordability test
Allen Parish residents enjoy a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio—well below Louisiana's 19.5% state average and the national standard. With a median household income of $51,138 (32% below the national median), Allen Parish still manages superior affordability through controlled rents of just $739 monthly. This combination makes Allen one of Louisiana's more livable parishes for renters nationwide.
Allen ranks among Louisiana's most affordable
At 17.3%, Allen Parish's rent-to-income ratio places it in Louisiana's top tier for affordability, outpacing two-thirds of the state's parishes. This strong performance stems from both modest rents and reasonable income levels relative to housing costs. Few Louisiana parishes offer renters this much breathing room in their budgets.
Rents competitive across Southwest Louisiana
Allen Parish's $739 rent sits between Acadia ($725) and Assumption ($801), making it a middle ground in the Southwest Louisiana rental market. Homeownership costs here ($440 monthly) are notably lower than Assumption ($533), offering owner-occupants a particular advantage. The region shows consistent affordability with modest variation across parishes.
Best homeownership value in the region
Allen Parish renters allocate 17.3% of their $51,138 income to the $739 median rent, while homeowners pay just $440 monthly (10.3% of income). The median home value of $110,800 reflects this affordability, making ownership accessible to modest-income families. This owner-cost advantage is among Louisiana's best.
Allen Parish: Affordable living with real value
If you're seeking genuine affordability with strong homeownership economics, Allen Parish deserves serious consideration—your rent-to-income ratio would be a competitive 17.3%. Compare median rents of $739 against your current market and factor in the exceptional $110,800 median home values. Few parishes offer this combination of low rents and accessible ownership.
Allen Parish households earn a median of $51,138, which is 32% lower than the U.S. median of $74,755. This $23,617 annual shortfall reflects economic conditions significantly weaker than the national average.
Below-average income across Louisiana
At $51,138, Allen Parish falls short of Louisiana's state median income of $55,250 by $4,112 per household annually. The parish ranks in the lower-middle tier of Louisiana's parishes for household earnings.
Outearns struggling Avoyelles Parish
Allen's $51,138 median income exceeds nearby Avoyelles Parish's $39,439 by $11,699 annually. This $11,699 difference underscores how geography and local economies create substantial earning disparities even between neighboring parishes.
Housing affordability remains solid
Allen's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% means housing costs take up less than one-fifth of median household earnings, well below the 30% affordability benchmark. At $110,800, median home values make homeownership achievable for many families in the parish.
Start small with employer retirement plans
If your employer offers a 401(k) or 403(b), contributing even 3–5% of your $51,138 salary builds retirement security without straining household finances. Employer matching contributions effectively increase your income, making it one of the fastest paths to wealth-building.
Allen Parish residents live to 70.7 years on average, about 5.7 years less than Americans overall (76.4 years). Nearly 24% report poor or fair health versus 18% nationally. These metrics reflect both individual and systemic health challenges.
Louisiana's health crisis hits Allen hard
Allen's 70.7-year life expectancy trails Louisiana's 72.5-year state average by nearly 2 years. The parish ranks in Louisiana's lower tier on longevity and health outcomes. At 7.2% uninsured, Allen actually performs slightly better than the state average of 8.1%.
Provider desert compared to nearby parishes
Allen's critical weakness is provider access: just 18 primary care physicians per 100K residents, the lowest in this regional cluster. Beauregard Parish nearby offers 44 per 100K and Acadia offers 37 per 100K. Mental health providers are also sparse at 109 per 100K.
Scarcity of doctors shapes daily care
With fewer than 18 primary care providers per 100K, Allen residents often travel long distances for routine checkups or manage care through emergency rooms. The 7.2% uninsured rate is better than state average, but limited provider choice means those with insurance still face access barriers.
Coverage is step one toward care
Allen's relatively low uninsured rate shows residents are seeking coverage—visit healthcare.gov to find plans tailored to your income. Once insured, ask your provider about telemedicine options and regional health centers, which can bridge the provider gap.
Allen Parish's composite risk score of 50.70 places it in the relatively low category, below Louisiana's state average of 62.37. This makes Allen one of the safer parishes in a state with above-average natural disaster exposure.
Among Louisiana's lower-risk parishes
Allen Parish ranks in the lower half of Louisiana's risk distribution, offering residents somewhat better odds of avoiding major disasters. However, the parish still faces meaningful hazards, particularly hurricanes (84.98) and wildfires (76.65).
Safer than surrounding parishes
Allen's 50.70 score is substantially lower than Acadia Parish (88.61) to the south and Avoyelles Parish (73.00) to the east. Only Beauregard Parish (55.57) to the west shows comparable risk levels in this region.
Wildfire and hurricane threats loom
Despite its lower overall ranking, Allen Parish faces significant wildfire risk (76.65) and hurricane exposure (84.98). Tornadoes (65.14) present a moderate third concern that shouldn't be overlooked.
Insurance priorities: wind and fire
Allen residents should prioritize windstorm and comprehensive coverage to protect against hurricanes and wildfires. Standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit wildfire coverage, making additional rider policies worth exploring.