With a composite score of 64.5, Caddo Parish outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationwide. This means the parish offers better overall livability conditions than roughly two-thirds of U.S. counties, driven largely by favorable tax and housing costs.
2 / 5
Slightly below Louisiana's typical livability
Caddo Parish ranks in the middle tier of Louisiana's 64 parishes with a score of 64.5, compared to the state average of 70.4. The parish trails some peers but remains solidly positioned for those prioritizing affordability.
3 / 5
Tax rates and housing costs shine here
Caddo Parish excels with a tax score of 85.0 (effective rate of just 0.615%) and cost score of 77.0, meaning residents enjoy low property taxes and median rents around $962 per month. These advantages make the parish particularly attractive to budget-conscious households and retirees.
4 / 5
Income levels and environmental risk need attention
The parish faces challenges with a low income score of 16.1 and median household income of $50,067, well below state and national norms. Additionally, a risk score of just 7.4 suggests environmental or disaster vulnerabilities that deserve consideration.
5 / 5
Best for cost-conscious families seeking stability
Caddo Parish suits families and retirees who prioritize low taxes and affordable housing over high wages and rapid income growth. It's a solid choice for those seeking a moderate cost of living without sacrificing access to regional amenities.
With a composite score of 64.5, Caddo Parish outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationwide. This means the parish offers better overall livability conditions than roughly two-thirds of U.S. counties, driven largely by favorable tax and housing costs.
Slightly below Louisiana's typical livability
Caddo Parish ranks in the middle tier of Louisiana's 64 parishes with a score of 64.5, compared to the state average of 70.4. The parish trails some peers but remains solidly positioned for those prioritizing affordability.
Tax rates and housing costs shine here
Caddo Parish excels with a tax score of 85.0 (effective rate of just 0.615%) and cost score of 77.0, meaning residents enjoy low property taxes and median rents around $962 per month. These advantages make the parish particularly attractive to budget-conscious households and retirees.
Income levels and environmental risk need attention
The parish faces challenges with a low income score of 16.1 and median household income of $50,067, well below state and national norms. Additionally, a risk score of just 7.4 suggests environmental or disaster vulnerabilities that deserve consideration.
Best for cost-conscious families seeking stability
Caddo Parish suits families and retirees who prioritize low taxes and affordable housing over high wages and rapid income growth. It's a solid choice for those seeking a moderate cost of living without sacrificing access to regional amenities.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Caddo Parish residents pay an effective tax rate of 0.615%, well below the national median of 0.948%. At $1,081 in median annual property taxes, Caddo homeowners pay less than 40% of the national median of $2,690, placing the parish in the lower half of U.S. counties.
Caddo ranks high in Louisiana
Caddo Parish has the highest effective tax rate among Louisiana's parishes at 0.615%, exceeding the state average of 0.421% by nearly 50%. With a median property tax of $1,081, Caddo collects significantly more per household than the state median of $732.
Caddo taxes more than regional peers
Caddo Parish's 0.615% rate outpaces neighboring Calcasieu Parish (0.444%) and Catahoula Parish (0.292%). Among the eight-parish region examined, only Caddo and Calcasieu exceed the state average, with Caddo leading by a substantial margin.
A $175,900 home costs $1,081 yearly
The median Caddo home valued at $175,900 generates an estimated annual tax bill of $1,081 without mortgage payments, or $1,380 including homestead exemptions and assessments. This represents roughly one month's property tax for a median U.S. home.
Many Caddo homeowners can appeal taxes
Overassessment is common across Louisiana, and Caddo homeowners should review their property's assessed value against recent sales comparables. Filing a tax appeal with Caddo's assessor's office is free and can result in significant savings if your home is overvalued.
Caddo Parish residents spend 23.1% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average of roughly 20%. With a median household income of $50,067—32% below the nation's median—housing costs bite harder here than they do for typical American renters.
Least affordable in Louisiana
At 23.1%, Caddo's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the least affordable in Louisiana, where the state average sits at 19.5%. This gap signals that Caddo residents face steeper housing burdens than most of their neighbors across the state.
Caddo costs more than peers
Caddo's median rent of $962 per month exceeds neighboring Caldwell Parish ($756) and Catahoula Parish ($724), even though Caddo's median income trails most regional peers. This combination makes Caddo one of the region's tightest housing markets.
Where Caddo's housing money goes
Renters in Caddo Parish pay $962 monthly, while homeowners spend $922 on mortgages against a median income of $50,067. That means roughly one-quarter of a renting household's monthly earnings goes straight to housing.
Consider rural alternatives nearby
If affordability matters, parishes like Caldwell or Catahoula offer lower rents and comparable living costs. Exploring parishes where rent-to-income ratios dip below 20% could free up hundreds of dollars monthly for your household budget.
Caddo Parish households earn a median of $50,067 annually, roughly 33% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This income gap reflects broader economic challenges facing many rural and industrial areas across the South.
Middle of the Pack in Louisiana
At $50,067, Caddo Parish falls slightly below Louisiana's state average of $55,250, placing it in the lower-middle tier among the state's 64 parishes. The parish ranks below more prosperous parishes but above the state's most economically distressed areas.
Outpaced by Nearby Calcasieu
Caddo's $50,067 median trails neighboring Calcasieu Parish by nearly $18,000, though it edges out rural neighbors like Catahoula ($47,753) and De Soto ($46,077). The disparity reflects differences in industrial base and employment opportunities across northwest Louisiana.
Rent Remains Manageable Here
A rent-to-income ratio of 23.1% suggests housing costs are sustainable for Caddo renters, sitting near the national affordability threshold of 28%. However, combined with the parish's below-average earnings, renters must budget carefully to afford other essentials.
Build Security Through Planning
Caddo residents earning $50,067 annually should prioritize setting aside an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses and explore tax-advantaged savings options like IRAs. Even modest contributions to retirement accounts compound significantly over time, helping close the income gap with higher-earning regions.
Caddo Parish residents live to 71.4 years on average—about 6.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 77.9 years. Nearly one in four residents (23.5%) report poor or fair health, outpacing the national rate of 18.5%. These figures signal significant health challenges requiring immediate attention.
Below Louisiana's health average
At 71.4 years, Caddo Parish falls 1.1 years behind Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years. The parish ranks in the lower half of Louisiana's 64 parishes for life expectancy, reflecting persistent health disparities. Addressing chronic disease and preventable deaths remains critical work.
Compared to surrounding parishes
Caddo's 71.4-year life expectancy trails Calcasieu Parish (73.5 years) and Claiborne Parish (73.8 years) in the region. Its poor/fair health rate of 23.5% sits between Calcasieu (20.6%) and Catahoula (23.4%), suggesting moderate but concerning health status. More robust primary care infrastructure could help close these gaps.
Healthcare access in Caddo Parish
With 8.2% of residents uninsured—slightly above the state rate of 8.1%—Caddo has stronger primary care capacity at 126 providers per 100K population. Mental health providers are abundant at 785 per 100K, yet gaps in primary care coordination may limit early intervention. Many residents still lack consistent access to preventive services.
Get health coverage today
If you're uninsured or underinsured, Louisiana's health marketplace and Medicaid expansion options can help you find affordable coverage. Visit louisiana.gov or your local health department to explore plans that fit your budget. Preventive care covered through health insurance can add years to your life.
Caddo Parish scores 92.62 on composite risk, placing it well above the national average and earning a Relatively Moderate rating. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly flooding and tornadoes. Nationally, Caddo ranks among higher-risk counties, driven by its location in a region prone to severe weather and water-related disasters.
Caddo's risk exceeds Louisiana's typical profile
At 92.62, Caddo's composite risk score towers above Louisiana's state average of 62.37—nearly 50% higher. Among Louisiana's 64 parishes, Caddo ranks as one of the highest-risk counties statewide. This elevation reflects the parish's vulnerability to multiple hazard categories, from riverine flooding to severe storms.
Caddo riskier than surrounding parishes
Caddo's 92.62 score significantly exceeds nearby De Soto Parish (42.02) and Claiborne Parish (41.73), making it the riskiest in its immediate region. While Calcasieu Parish to the south scores even higher at 95.71, Caddo still presents markedly elevated hazard exposure compared to most neighboring counties. This concentration of risk reflects Caddo's exposure to both riverine systems and storm corridors.
Flooding and tornadoes dominate Caddo's hazards
Caddo's flood risk scores 92.05—among the parish's most pressing threats—while tornado risk reaches 89.82, creating dual exposure to water and wind disasters. Earthquake risk (84.67) and hurricane risk (82.77) also present meaningful threats, though secondary to the flooding and severe storm patterns. Combined, these four hazards drive Caddo's overall elevated risk profile.
Comprehensive coverage critical for Caddo residents
Given Caddo's flood risk of 92.05 and tornado risk of 89.82, standard homeowners insurance is insufficient—flood and wind coverage are essential. Consider a bundled policy that covers both flooding (through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers) and windstorms to address your parish's primary threats. Review and update your coverage annually, as Caddo's risk profile demands robust protection.