Lafayette Parish scores 66.0, 32% above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability compared to the typical American county. It represents a reliably livable option by national standards.
2 / 5
Slightly below Louisiana average
Scoring 66.0 against Louisiana's state average of 70.4, Lafayette Parish ranks in the middle range of parishes. Its position reflects balancing moderate income and employment dynamics with higher housing costs.
3 / 5
Health and income lead the way
Lafayette Parish excels in health outcomes (68.9, the highest among these eight) with a median household income of $67,660 and income score of 27.6. The tax burden (86.3) remains manageable at 0.568% effective rate.
4 / 5
Housing costs squeeze affordability
The cost score of 73.4 reflects median rents of $1,022 and home values of $234,200, among the higher in this group. Risk exposure (4.8) is minimal but housing expenses remain a real constraint on household budgets.
5 / 5
Strong choice for health-conscious workers
Lafayette Parish attracts working families and professionals prioritizing excellent health care and solid income levels, willing to accept moderate housing costs for urban amenities. It suits those building long-term stability rather than maximizing immediate savings.
Lafayette Parish scores 66.0, 32% above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability compared to the typical American county. It represents a reliably livable option by national standards.
Slightly below Louisiana average
Scoring 66.0 against Louisiana's state average of 70.4, Lafayette Parish ranks in the middle range of parishes. Its position reflects balancing moderate income and employment dynamics with higher housing costs.
Health and income lead the way
Lafayette Parish excels in health outcomes (68.9, the highest among these eight) with a median household income of $67,660 and income score of 27.6. The tax burden (86.3) remains manageable at 0.568% effective rate.
Housing costs squeeze affordability
The cost score of 73.4 reflects median rents of $1,022 and home values of $234,200, among the higher in this group. Risk exposure (4.8) is minimal but housing expenses remain a real constraint on household budgets.
Strong choice for health-conscious workers
Lafayette Parish attracts working families and professionals prioritizing excellent health care and solid income levels, willing to accept moderate housing costs for urban amenities. It suits those building long-term stability rather than maximizing immediate savings.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Lafayette Parish taxes rank in nation's upper tier
Lafayette Parish's 0.568% effective rate slightly exceeds the national median of 0.565%, placing it just above average nationally. Homeowners pay $1,329 annually on a median home valued at $234,200—about 49% of the national median tax of $2,690.
Highest-taxed parish in Louisiana
At 0.568%, Lafayette Parish has Louisiana's highest effective tax rate among all 64 parishes, 35% above the state average of 0.421%. The median property tax of $1,329 is nearly double the state median of $732, reflecting major parish investments.
Highest taxes in the region by far
Lafayette Parish's 0.568% rate towers over nearby Acadia Parish and St. Martin Parish, as well as Lafourche Parish (0.498%) to the southeast. This makes it the priciest parish for homeowners across south-central Louisiana.
What homeowners actually pay yearly
On Lafayette Parish's median home value of $234,200, the annual property tax is approximately $1,329 without a mortgage and $1,458 with one. This comes to roughly $111 per month—the highest in Louisiana and well above regional norms.
Challenge high assessments aggressively
In Louisiana's highest-taxed parish, inflated property assessments can cost homeowners thousands over a decade. Lafayette Parish residents should request independent appraisals and file formal appeals if their assessed values deviate significantly from market sales data in their neighborhoods.
Lafayette Parish delivers strong affordability relative to income
With an 18.1% rent-to-income ratio and a median household income of $67,660, Lafayette Parish beats the national average for affordability while earning reasonably close to the national median of $74,755. This combination makes it one of the most balanced markets in the region.
Top-tier affordability for a growing Louisiana hub
Lafayette Parish achieves an 18.1% rent-to-income ratio—well below Louisiana's 19.5% state average—while serving as the economic engine of Acadiana. The median rent of $1,022/month is 17% above state average but paired with above-average incomes that make it manageable.
Best value among higher-income parishes
Lafayette's $1,022/month rent sits between smaller rural parishes and expensive Jefferson Parish ($1,162), while its $67,660 median income ranks second-highest in the group. This positions Lafayette as an attractive balance of amenities, economic opportunity, and affordability.
Renters spend 18.1%; homeowners face steeper burden
Renters dedicate $1,022 monthly—just 18.1% of $67,660 income—making rent manageable. Homeowners pay $1,083/month on a $234,200 median home value, a higher absolute cost but still reasonable given the parish's income levels.
Lafayette Parish: affordability meets opportunity
As Louisiana's second-largest metro area with a diversified economy, Lafayette offers above-average incomes paired with reasonable housing costs and a strong 18.1% rent ratio. This parish delivers the best combination of affordability and economic potential in the region.
Lafayette Parish households earn $67,660 annually, 10% below the national median of $74,755. The parish stands among Louisiana's strongest-earning communities and represents the state's economic growth engine.
Top-earning Louisiana parish
Lafayette Parish median household income of $67,660 exceeds Louisiana's state average by $12,410. The parish ranks at the very top of all Louisiana counties for household earnings.
Regional economic leader
Lafayette Parish at $67,660 edges Jefferson Parish ($65,246) and substantially outperforms Jackson Parish ($43,345) by $24,315. The parish drives regional prosperity through energy sector employment and diversified industry.
Housing affordable for median families
Lafayette Parish residents allocate 18.1% of household income to rent, well within the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $234,200 remains accessible to the median household earning $67,660.
Build generational wealth intentionally
Lafayette Parish households earning $67,660 can aggressively pursue wealth-building through diversified investments, real estate beyond primary residence, and college savings plans. Saving 20% annually ($13,532) compounds into significant wealth and creates pathways for economic advancement.
At 75.8 years, Lafayette Parish residents live nearly 4.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years and 3.3 years longer than Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years. Just 19.8% report poor or fair health, the lowest in this cohort and a sign of strong population wellness.
Healthiest parish in the dataset
Lafayette Parish ranks first in this group for life expectancy and has the lowest poor/fair health rate at 19.8%. This economic hub benefits from a diversified economy, strong primary and mental health infrastructure, and high insurance coverage rates.
Regional healthcare powerhouse
Lafayette's 108 primary care providers per 100K residents is the highest in this group, matched by 423 mental health providers per 100K—the top mental health access rate as well. These figures reflect Lafayette's role as a regional medical center.
Good coverage, room to improve
The 8.7% uninsured rate is slightly above Louisiana's 8.1% average despite Lafayette's economic strength and provider availability. This suggests some coverage barriers remain even in the state's healthiest parish.
Lafayette: maintain your advantage
With the state's best health outcomes, Lafayette has momentum—but 8.7% uninsured means roughly 16,000 residents miss access to the parish's exceptional providers. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to ensure no one is left behind.
Lafayette Parish scores 95.17 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively High rating and placing it among the most disaster-exposed counties in America. Your parish's central Louisiana location funnels multiple hazard types into one vulnerable zone.
Second-Highest Risk in Louisiana
Lafayette Parish's score of 95.17 ranks it second only to Jefferson Parish among Louisiana's 64 parishes, far exceeding the state average of 62.37. This reflects your parish's position at the intersection of coastal flood risk and regional tornado activity.
Center of a High-Risk Cluster
Neighboring Jefferson Parish (98.66) and Livingston Parish (94.47) both rank among the state's riskiest, creating a contiguous zone of maximum hazard exposure across south-central Louisiana. Your parish sits within one of America's most disaster-prone regions.
Hurricanes Lead, Floods Follow Close
Hurricane risk reaches 98.37 and flood risk scores 93.03, making these the overwhelming hazards residents must prepare for. Tornado risk (65.33) and earthquake risk (68.35) present secondary threats that deserve attention in home and business planning.
Layered Insurance Is Your Foundation
Lafayette Parish residents need homeowners insurance with strong hurricane/wind coverage, mandatory flood insurance for all properties in designated flood zones, and consideration of additional named-storm or earthquake riders. Work with a local insurance agent to understand your exact flood zone and ensure coverage limits match your home's true replacement cost.