Lafourche Parish scores 68.1, 36% above the national median of 50.0, solidly outperforming the typical U.S. county in livability. This strong positioning reflects consistent affordability and tax advantages.
2 / 5
Slightly below state average
With a score of 68.1, Lafourche Parish ranks just below Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it in the middle-upper tier of parishes. It demonstrates balanced performance across multiple livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Affordable housing and reasonable taxes
Lafourche Parish offers a cost score of 80.8 with median home values of $190,800 and rents averaging $933 monthly, providing solid housing affordability. The tax score of 88.3 and effective rate of 0.498% remain favorable.
4 / 5
Income potential remains modest
The income score of 24.8 reflects a median household income of $63,439, limiting upward economic mobility for working families. While moderate risk (8.7) suggests baseline stability, wage growth opportunity lags higher-performing parishes.
5 / 5
Ideal for families seeking balance
Lafourche Parish appeals to working families seeking reasonable housing costs, low taxes, and stable employment without requiring high income potential. It suits those prioritizing affordability and livability balance over maximum earning potential.
Lafourche Parish scores 68.1, 36% above the national median of 50.0, solidly outperforming the typical U.S. county in livability. This strong positioning reflects consistent affordability and tax advantages.
Slightly below state average
With a score of 68.1, Lafourche Parish ranks just below Louisiana's state average of 70.4, placing it in the middle-upper tier of parishes. It demonstrates balanced performance across multiple livability dimensions.
Affordable housing and reasonable taxes
Lafourche Parish offers a cost score of 80.8 with median home values of $190,800 and rents averaging $933 monthly, providing solid housing affordability. The tax score of 88.3 and effective rate of 0.498% remain favorable.
Income potential remains modest
The income score of 24.8 reflects a median household income of $63,439, limiting upward economic mobility for working families. While moderate risk (8.7) suggests baseline stability, wage growth opportunity lags higher-performing parishes.
Ideal for families seeking balance
Lafourche Parish appeals to working families seeking reasonable housing costs, low taxes, and stable employment without requiring high income potential. It suits those prioritizing affordability and livability balance over maximum earning potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.498%, Lafourche Parish's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 0.565%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. Homeowners pay $951 annually on a median home worth $190,800—about 35% of the national median tax of $2,690.
Mid-range taxes for Louisiana parishes
Lafourche Parish's 0.498% effective rate ranks roughly in Louisiana's middle tier, 18% above the state average of 0.421%. The median property tax of $951 is 30% above the state median of $732, reflecting moderate parish spending levels.
Balanced taxes for south Louisiana
Lafourche Parish's 0.498% rate sits between Lafayette Parish (0.568%) to the west and lower-taxed coastal parishes to the south. It's comparable to Lincoln Parish (0.499%) and Livingston Parish (0.493%), making it regionally typical.
What homeowners actually pay yearly
On Lafourche Parish's median home value of $190,800, the annual property tax is approximately $951 without a mortgage and $1,250 with one. This amounts to about $79 per month—moderate for Louisiana but above the national average.
Verify assessments on waterfront properties
Lafourche Parish's waterfront and bayou properties are frequently overassessed relative to market value, especially for fishing camps and secondary residences. Homeowners should request recent comparable sales data from the parish assessor and appeal if their assessment exceeds 90% of appraised market value.
Lafourche Parish: lowest rent burden in Louisiana group
At 17.6%, Lafourche Parish boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among these eight Louisiana counties and well below the national average. The median household income of $63,439 pairs with moderate rents ($933/month) to deliver genuinely affordable housing.
Best housing affordability in Louisiana's eight
Lafourche Parish's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Louisiana's most affordable parishes—beating the state average of 19.5% by 1.9 percentage points. Combined with a median rent of $933/month, right at the state level, this parish delivers exceptional value.
Rural affordability with solid income levels
Lafourche's $933/month rent falls in the middle of the group, but its 17.6% rent ratio is the best here, reflecting relatively strong incomes for a rural-industrial parish. Median home value of $190,800 stays moderate while supporting coastal Louisiana's energy sector jobs.
Renters pay just 17.6%; homeowners get excellent value
The median renter spends $933 monthly—17.6% of a $63,439 household income—the most favorable ratio in this group. Homeowners enjoy even better economics at $706/month, the second-lowest monthly cost among these eight counties.
Lafourche Parish: unbeatable affordability metric
If rent-to-income ratio drives your decision, Lafourche Parish wins among these eight parishes with 17.6%—paired with solid income and homeownership value. The parish's maritime and energy economy provides stable employment supporting this affordability advantage.
Lafourche Parish households earn $63,439 annually, 15% below the national median of $74,755. The parish demonstrates middle-to-upper income status within Louisiana's economic landscape.
Strong rank among parishes
Lafourche Parish median household income of $63,439 exceeds Louisiana's state average of $55,250 by $8,189. The parish ranks in the upper tier of all Louisiana counties for household earnings.
Competitive with surrounding parishes
Lafourche Parish at $63,439 trails Lafayette Parish ($67,660) by $4,221 but outperforms Jackson Parish ($43,345) significantly. The parish reflects strong maritime and energy industry employment throughout south-central Louisiana.
Exceptional housing affordability
Lafourche Parish residents spend just 17.6% of household income on rent—the lowest ratio in this group. The median home value of $190,800 remains highly accessible, freeing household resources for savings and investment.
Maximize savings and investing
Lafourche Parish households earning $63,439 with exceptional rent affordability should redirect housing savings into investment accounts and retirement planning. Saving 15% annually ($9,516) combined with low housing costs creates powerful wealth-building momentum.
At 74.6 years, Lafourche Parish residents live more than three years longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years and nearly two years longer than Louisiana's 72.5-year average. Yet 23.3% report poor or fair health, suggesting that extra lifespan comes with health challenges.
Middle-of-the-pack in Louisiana
Lafourche Parish's 74.6-year life expectancy ranks above Louisiana's state average, placing it solidly in the upper half of parishes statewide. The 23.3% poor/fair health rate indicates room for preventive care improvements.
Moderate provider access in south
Lafourche Parish has 50 primary care providers per 100K residents and 210 mental health providers per 100K—moderate compared to Lafayette's abundance but exceeding rural parishes. This reflects Lafourche's position as a bayou region anchor.
Insurance nearly matches state average
At 8.2% uninsured, Lafourche Parish is virtually aligned with Louisiana's 8.1% state average, meaning about 1 in 12 residents lack coverage. Good insurance uptake supports the parish's above-average life expectancy.
Keep Lafourche covered
Lafourche's solid health outcomes rest on strong insurance rates—but 8.2% uninsured still represents thousands without protection. Check healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to confirm you're covered or find affordable options.
Lafourche Parish scores 91.35 with a Relatively Moderate risk rating, placing it solidly above the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your parish's coastal bayou position creates overlapping hurricane and flood vulnerabilities found in few other American counties.
Top-Tier Risk Among Louisiana Parishes
Lafourche Parish ranks among Louisiana's highest-risk parishes with a composite score of 91.35, significantly exceeding the state average of 62.37. Only Jefferson and Lafayette parishes outrank Lafourche in overall hazard exposure.
Part of Louisiana's Riskiest Corridor
Neighboring Lafourche Parish connects to the high-risk cluster of Jefferson (98.66) and Lafayette parishes (95.17) in southeast Louisiana. Your parish sits at the bayou's edge, where storm surge and river flooding compounds coastal hurricane risk.
Tornadoes and Hurricanes Dominate
Tornado risk (94.53) and hurricane risk (97.75) are Lafourche Parish's defining hazards, both ranking among the state's highest. Flood risk (81.80) remains elevated due to the parish's low elevation and exposure to both storm surge and Mississippi River backwater.
Prioritize Hurricane and Tornado Safety
Lafourche Parish residents must maintain comprehensive homeowners coverage with full hurricane/wind protection and separate flood insurance for all properties in flood-prone areas. Consider safe-room reinforcement for tornado protection and keep documentation of home improvements for faster insurance claims.