Sabine Parish

Louisiana · LA

#25 in Louisiana
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sabine Parish, Louisiana

Sabine Parish well ahead of national average

Sabine Parish's composite score of 72.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 45%, marking it as a genuine livability leader among U.S. counties. This reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and tax structure.

Sabine Parish leads Louisiana rankings

Sabine Parish scores 72.2, ranking in the top tier statewide and exceeding Louisiana's average of 70.4. The parish consistently delivers above-average livability compared to most Louisiana communities.

Most affordable housing in the group

Sabine Parish delivers the highest cost score (88.5) and lowest median home values ($129,400) in this set, with rent at just $664 per month. Its tax score of 91.5 and effective rate of 0.383% cement affordability as a core advantage.

Risk profile and income need strengthening

The risk score of 39.0 is the lowest among these parishes, signaling elevated environmental or hazard exposure that requires assessment. Median household income of $52,047 and an income score of 17.4 remain modest compared to wealthier parishes.

Perfect for price-conscious rural families

Sabine Parish is tailor-made for families or individuals prioritizing maximum housing affordability and minimal tax exposure. It suits remote workers, retirees, and anyone building equity in affordable real estate.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.5Cost88.5SafetyComing SoonHealth60.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.4Risk39WaterComing Soon
🏛91.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼17.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
60.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
39
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Sabine Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sabine Parish

via TaxByCounty

Sabine Parish well below national tax rates

Sabine Parish residents pay an effective property tax rate of 0.383%, placing the parish comfortably below the national median of 0.955% and in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties. The median annual tax of $495 is roughly 82% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Louisiana average

Sabine Parish's 0.383% effective rate falls below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, positioning it among the state's more affordable parishes for property owners. The median annual tax of $495 is about $237 lower than the state median of $732.

Middle ground for northwest Louisiana

Sabine Parish's 0.383% rate sits between Richland Parish's low of 0.352% and Red River Parish's higher 0.538%, making it a moderate option in the region. A Sabine homeowner with a $129,400 property pays $495 annually—notably less than Red River but slightly more than Richland.

What $129,400 homes cost to own

Sabine Parish homeowners with the median property value of $129,400 pay approximately $495 in annual property taxes at the current 0.383% rate. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total annual bill climbs to $631.

Check your assessment for overvaluation

Property overassessment is common statewide, and Sabine Parish is no exception to this pattern. If your home is valued higher than comparable local sales suggest, file an appeal with your assessor to potentially reduce your tax burden.

Cost of Living in Sabine Parish

via CostByCounty

Sabine offers Louisiana's best rent value

Sabine Parish achieves the lowest rent-to-income ratio of any Louisiana parish profiled here at just 15.3%, well below the national affordability threshold. With median rent of only $664 monthly and household income of $52,047, Sabine delivers exceptional housing value for renters statewide.

Top tier for Louisiana affordability

Sabine Parish leads Louisiana parishes in rental affordability with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio—significantly better than the state average of 19.5%. The combination of the lowest median rent surveyed at $664 and solid income of $52,047 makes Sabine a standout value destination within the state.

Sabine's rents are measurably cheaper

Sabine Parish renters pay $664 monthly—$172 less than Richland Parish and $67 less than Red River Parish—despite comparable local incomes. This rent advantage compounds across the year to roughly $2,000 in savings, making Sabine the clear rental bargain among these northeastern parishes.

Rent stays remarkably low here

Sabine renters dedicate just 15.3% of income to housing at $664 monthly, while homeowners spending $535 claim just 12.3% of income—among the tightest ratios statewide. The median home value of $129,400 offers strong value-to-income ratios for buyers ready to make the leap.

Sabine Parish is a hidden affordability gem

If affordability is your priority, Sabine Parish delivers the lowest rents and best rent-to-income ratios in northeastern Louisiana, with median home values under $130,000. Both renters and buyers will find Sabine offers more housing breathing room than virtually any other Louisiana parish in this survey.

Income & Jobs in Sabine Parish

via IncomeByCounty

Sabine Parish significantly below U.S. average

Sabine Parish's median household income of $52,047 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by nearly $23,000, a 30% gap characteristic of rural Louisiana's economic position. The parish's per capita income of $27,968 also trails the national average, indicating limited individual wealth generation.

Sabine slightly below Louisiana's median

Sabine Parish's median household income of $52,047 sits just below Louisiana's state average of $55,250, placing it in the lower-middle tier of parish earnings. The per capita income of $27,968 exceeds the state average of $29,702 by a modest margin, suggesting concentrated wealth among fewer earners.

Sabine competes with nearby rural parishes

Sabine Parish's $52,047 income closely mirrors Richland Parish's $52,960 and runs ahead of Red River Parish's $44,539, reflecting the similar rural character of northeastern Louisiana. These three neighboring counties represent a tight band of relatively low-income parishes in the state's poorest region.

Strong housing affordability helps households

Sabine Parish leads its neighbors with the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 15.3%, meaning renters devote just over one-seventh of earnings to housing costs. This favorable housing affordability provides Sabine households more breathing room for other expenses compared to parishes with higher rent burdens.

Leverage Sabine's housing affordability advantage

Sabine Parish's strong housing affordability at 15.3% rent-to-income ratio means households can redirect savings from housing into retirement and investment accounts. Starting a modest investment plan now—even $50-75 monthly—positions Sabine families to build meaningful wealth over time despite current income constraints.

Health in Sabine Parish

via HealthByCounty

Sabine's life expectancy trails the nation

Sabine Parish residents live an average of 72.0 years, about 4.4 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The parish has 24.5% of adults reporting poor or fair health, notably lower than some peers but still 36% higher than the national average. This gap suggests systemic health challenges despite better-than-average self-reported wellness.

Middle-of-pack performer for Louisiana

Sabine's 72.0-year life expectancy sits slightly below Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years, placing it in the middle range of parish health rankings. While Sabine outperforms the state's worst-hit parishes, it still lags healthier Louisiana communities.

Better than northeast, worse than south

Sabine's 72.0 years surpasses the northeast corridor of Red River (71.6), Richland (71.5), and St. Helena (70.0) parishes, yet falls short of southern neighbors like St. Charles Parish (75.3 years). This geographic health gradient reflects underlying economic and infrastructure disparities across Louisiana.

High uninsured rate, sparse providers

Sabine Parish faces one of Louisiana's highest uninsured rates at 10.0%—nearly 1 in 10 residents without coverage—while having only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, among the state's lowest. Mental health support is equally thin at 123 providers per 100,000, leaving residents to travel or go without care.

Uninsured? Take action now

Sabine's 10.0% uninsured rate is among Louisiana's highest—don't be left out. Visit healthcare.gov or call the Louisiana Department of Health at 1-855-253-HEALTH to enroll today and protect yourself from medical debt.

Disaster Risk in Sabine Parish

via RiskByCounty

Sabine Parish Faces Moderate Risk Nationally

Sabine Parish scores 60.97, approaching the national average for composite disaster risk and earning a relatively low rating. The parish confronts elevated hurricane (80.31), wildfire (67.43), and tornado risks (72.01), though these remain manageable with proper preparation.

Mid-Range Risk Across Louisiana

Sabine Parish scores 60.97, just below Louisiana's state average of 62.37, placing it in the middle tier of parish risk levels. While safer than St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes to the south, Sabine faces greater hazards than Red River or Richland to the east.

Higher Risk Than Inland Neighbors

Sabine Parish (60.97) significantly exceeds nearby Red River (16.67) and Richland parishes (36.67), reflecting its western position closer to Texas pineywoods wildfires and Gulf tropical systems. The parish's exposure to both wildfire and hurricane corridors elevates its composite risk relative to northeast Louisiana.

Hurricane, Wildfire, Tornado Trio

Sabine Parish faces a triple threat: hurricane risk (80.31), tornado risk (72.01), and wildfire risk (67.43)—all above state average. Flood risk (66.54) rounds out the parish's significant hazard exposure, reflecting its location at the intersection of Texas weather systems and Gulf influences.

Comprehensive Multi-Hazard Insurance

Sabine residents need robust homeowners coverage for wind, hail, and tornado damage, plus separate wildfire and flood policies to close critical gaps. Creating defensible space around your home—clearing brush and tree limbs—is equally vital for wildfire season, typically summer and fall.

ByCounty Network

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