CountyScore

East Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana · LA

#62 in Louisiana
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Strong performer above the national median

East Baton Rouge Parish scores 63.6, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This composite score reflects a county where basic livability fundamentals are solid, though some dimensions need attention.

Below Louisiana's county average

The parish ranks below the state average of 70.4, placing it in the middle tier among Louisiana counties. This reflects trade-offs between strong tax benefits and lower-than-average income levels.

Tax advantages and health infrastructure

East Baton Rouge excels with a tax score of 84.3 and an effective tax rate of just 0.64%, among the lowest in the state. The parish also performs well on health (68.1), and maintains reasonable housing costs with a median home value of $241,800.

Income and opportunity gaps persist

The income score of just 24.6 is a significant constraint, with median household income at $63,075 trailing many peer counties. The parish also carries a low risk score of 2.0, suggesting environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant monitoring.

For established families seeking stability

East Baton Rouge Parish suits established professionals and families who prioritize tax efficiency and healthcare access over rapid income growth. The parish works best for those with secure employment elsewhere or those willing to invest in a larger housing market.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84.3Cost70SafetyComing SoonHealth68.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk2WaterComing Soon
🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare East Baton Rouge Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Georgia
63.6
Median income: $108,986
Maui County
Hawaii
63.6
Median income: $95,076
Macoupin County
Illinois
63.6
Median income: $68,518
Kent County
Michigan
63.6
Median income: $80,390
Washington County
Minnesota
63.6
Median income: $114,457

Deep Dives

East Baton Rouge Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in East Baton Rouge Parish

via TaxByCounty

East Baton Rouge taxes run high nationally

At 0.640%, East Baton Rouge's effective property tax rate sits well above the national median of 0.420%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,547 annually—about 42% less than the national median of $2,690, partly because median home values are lower at $241,800 versus $281,900 nationwide.

Second-highest rate in Louisiana

East Baton Rouge ranks among the highest-taxed parishes in Louisiana, with an effective rate of 0.640% compared to the state average of 0.421%. Only a handful of parishes charge more, making this the state's second-highest burden for property owners.

Significantly higher than nearby parishes

East Baton Rouge's 0.640% rate towers over neighboring Iberville Parish (0.328%) and Iberia Parish (0.351%), both roughly half as much. This difference means a $200,000 home pays about $640 annually here versus $330–$350 next door.

Median home, median tax bill

On the median home value of $241,800, East Baton Rouge residents pay approximately $1,547 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, this figure climbs to $1,749 when other assessments are included.

Your home might be overassessed

Many East Baton Rouge homeowners are paying taxes on inflated property values. If you believe your assessment is too high, filing an appeal with the parish assessor's office could lower your bill—potentially saving hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in East Baton Rouge Parish

via CostByCounty

Rent costs climb above national norm

East Baton Rouge renters spend 21.3% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average of around 18%. While the parish median income of $63,075 trails the U.S. average of $74,755, housing costs here squeeze harder on local wallets.

Mid-pack affordability in Louisiana

At 21.3%, East Baton Rouge's rent-to-income ratio sits above Louisiana's state average of 19.5%, placing it in the less affordable tier of Louisiana parishes. The parish median rent of $1,121 exceeds the state average of $873 by 28%.

More expensive than nearby peers

East Baton Rouge renters pay $1,121 monthly versus $891 in nearby Iberia Parish and $817 in Iberville Parish—a significant premium for similar regions. Only neighboring East Feliciana offers lower rents at $745, reflecting its rural character.

Renters carry heavier load

The typical household splits housing costs between $1,121 in monthly rent and $1,185 in owner costs, with renters consuming a notably larger share of the median $63,075 annual income. Homeowners paying $1,185 monthly dedicate roughly 22.5% of household income to mortgages, only 1.2 points higher than renters.

Consider the rent premium here

If housing affordability drives your relocation decision, East Baton Rouge offers urban amenities at a cost: rents run 28% above Louisiana's state average. Nearby parishes like Iberville and Iberia deliver similar job markets with 2–4% lower housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in East Baton Rouge Parish

via IncomeByCounty

East Baton Rouge outpaces the nation

East Baton Rouge Parish households earn $63,075 annually, falling about 16% below the national median of $74,755. Still, this parish ranks among Louisiana's stronger earners, reflecting its status as the state's largest metro area and economic hub.

A top earner in Louisiana

East Baton Rouge's median household income of $63,075 ranks it solidly above Louisiana's state average of $55,250—a 14% edge. The parish leads most of its peers statewide, driven by state government jobs, petrochemical industry employment, and LSU's economic footprint.

Strong compared to neighbors

East Baton Rouge earners make $63,075, significantly outpacing Iberia Parish ($57,811) and Iberville Parish ($57,459) to the south. The gap reflects East Baton Rouge's larger job market and higher concentration of professional and government employment.

Rent is manageable here

At a 21.3% rent-to-income ratio, housing costs consume just over one-fifth of median household earnings—well within the affordability guideline of 30%. Combined with a median home value of $241,800, East Baton Rouge offers reasonable housing stability for median-income households.

Build wealth beyond your paycheck

With median household income at $63,075 and affordable housing, East Baton Rouge residents are positioned to save and invest. Consider automating retirement contributions, exploring employer 401(k) matches, and consulting a financial advisor to accelerate wealth-building in your higher-income parish.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in East Baton Rouge Parish

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy edges above national trend

East Baton Rouge residents live to an average of 73.2 years, slightly outpacing Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years and matching the national median. Still, 19.4% of residents report poor or fair health, a figure that reflects persistent wellness challenges across the state and nation.

Parish ranks among state's healthier communities

East Baton Rouge leads Louisiana on life expectancy and health perception, ranking in the top tier statewide. The parish's 7.6% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 8.1%, indicating stronger insurance coverage than most Louisiana counties.

Clear advantage in provider access and care

East Baton Rouge boasts 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly double the provider density of neighboring parishes and significantly ahead of rural Louisiana counties. Mental health support is similarly robust at 475 providers per 100,000, reflecting the parish's position as a regional healthcare hub.

Strong insurance coverage supports daily care

With 92.4% of residents insured, East Baton Rouge residents face fewer barriers to routine checkups and preventive care than their state counterparts. The abundance of primary care and mental health providers means shorter wait times and easier access to specialists for most residents.

Already ahead—stay covered this year

If you're among the 7.6% uninsured in East Baton Rouge, open enrollment presents an opportunity to secure coverage at healthcare.gov or through Louisiana Medicaid. Keeping your insurance active ensures you can access the region's excellent network of providers without disruption.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in East Baton Rouge Parish

via RiskByCounty

East Baton Rouge faces top-tier national risk

With a composite risk score of 97.96, East Baton Rouge ranks in the highest-risk tier nationally, far exceeding the typical U.S. county profile. This rating reflects exposure to multiple severe hazards, particularly tornadoes (99.59) and hurricanes (98.16), that consistently threaten the region. The parish is among the most disaster-prone counties in America.

Highest-risk parish in Louisiana by far

East Baton Rouge's composite score of 97.96 dwarfs Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it the state's most hazard-exposed parish. No other Louisiana county comes close to its combination of extreme tornado, hurricane, and flood risks. Residents here face significantly greater disaster exposure than their neighbors across the state.

Dramatically riskier than surrounding parishes

East Baton Rouge (97.96) far outpaces nearby East Feliciana (56.42) and Iberville (73.73), with nearly 40 points higher composite risk. Even Iberia Parish to the south, which faces severe hurricane and flood threats, scores 90.62—still 7 points lower than East Baton Rouge. The parish stands alone as the region's most hazardous place to live.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate local threats

Tornadoes pose the single greatest threat with a risk score of 99.59, while hurricanes close behind at 98.16, making this parish highly vulnerable to both rotating storms and tropical systems. Flooding ranks third at 97.33, capable of compounding damage when multiple hazards strike. Together, these three hazards create a perfect storm of disaster risk.

Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable here

Homeowners in East Baton Rouge must carry windstorm/hurricane insurance, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, and strong homeowners coverage to address tornado damage. Consider reinforcing your roof, installing a storm cellar, and maintaining 100% replacement-cost coverage given the parish's extreme multi-hazard exposure. Your insurance portfolio should reflect the reality that major disasters here are not if, but when.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.