countyscore
62.9
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 93.7Cost of Living 88.9

County Report Card

About Sabine Parish, Louisiana

Strong National Livability Standing

Sabine Parish achieves an impressive composite score of 63.8, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high quality of life compared to many other rural counties across the country.

Leading the Way in Louisiana

With a score over ten points higher than the state average of 53.0, Sabine Parish is a regional leader. It combines low costs and high safety to create one of the most livable environments in the state.

High Safety and Low Costs

Sabine Parish boasts a stellar safety score of 97.5 and a tax score of 94.9. Housing is also highly accessible, with a cost score of 91.2 and median home values of $129,400.

Environmental and Income Gaps

The water quality score is a significant outlier at 1.8, suggesting a need for better utility infrastructure. Additionally, the income score of 18.7 reflects a median household income of $52,047, which is lower than many urban peers.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

This parish is a perfect match for those with mobile incomes who value low crime and inexpensive living. It offers a high degree of financial security and physical safety for budget-conscious households.

2040608010093.788.997.526.728.412.4391.834.9Tax93.7Cost88.9Safety97.5Health26.7Schools28.4Income12.4Risk39Water1.8Weather34.962.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Sabine Parish DNA

Doverall

How Sabine Parish compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Sabine Parish is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (97.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
93.7+41.7
Cost
88.9+40.900000000000006
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
26.7-23.3
Schools
28.4-25.6
Income
12.4-38.6
Risk
39-8
Water
1.8-56.2
Weather
34.9-21.1
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Sabine Parish

Whether buying or refinancing in Sabine Parish, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$123,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$701/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$123,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,329/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

4.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Sabine Parish with Butte County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Butte County
Idaho
Median income: $53,015
62.9
Pike County
Indiana
Median income: $71,334
62.9
Fremont County
Idaho
Median income: $72,683
62.8
Fountain County
Indiana
Median income: $62,542
63
Pocahontas County
Iowa
Median income: $61,875
63
Whitley County
Kentucky
Median income: $44,615
62.8
Lewis County
Missouri
Median income: $59,934
63
Sullivan County
Missouri
Median income: $56,964
63

Nearby counties

Sabine County
Texas
56.6
Natchitoches Parish
Louisiana
63.1
Vernon Parish
Louisiana
64.2
San Augustine County
Texas
52.9
Shelby County
Texas
41.7
De Soto Parish
Louisiana
66.1
Red River Parish
Louisiana
66.4
Newton County
Texas
48.3

Deep Dives

Sabine Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sabine Parish

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Records in Sabine

Sabine Parish records a perfect safety score of 100.0 based on 2022 data. The reported crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents places it far below the national average of 2,385.5.

Top of the State Rankings

Sabine stands out at the top of state rankings with a safety score significantly higher than the Louisiana average of 97.1. While the zero-crime report is unusual, it reflects a period of high reported safety across four agencies.

A Regional Statistical Outlier

Compared to the Louisiana average total crime rate of 1,853.7, Sabine Parish appears as a significant outlier. It offers a level of reported security that neighboring jurisdictions struggle to match.

Zero Reported Incidents in 2022

Both violent and property crime rates sit at 0.0 per 100,000 residents for the reporting period. This data indicates a community with no reported criminal incidents handled by local law enforcement during the year.

Vigilance Protects the Parish

A perfect safety score is an invitation to stay vigilant rather than becoming complacent. Keeping home security systems active ensures the parish remains a leader in public safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sabine Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical Warmth Dominates the Year

Sabine Parish maintains an average annual temperature of 65.9°F, which is much warmer than the national median. This consistent warmth is paired with 57.0 inches of annual rainfall.

A Cooler Pocket in a Hot State

At 65.9°F, Sabine Parish is slightly cooler than the Louisiana state average of 67.0°F. It ranks among the more moderate parishes in the state regarding overall heat.

Drier Conditions Than Nearby Parishes

The parish receives 57.0 inches of rain annually, which is less than the 60.0 inches seen in Richland Parish. It experiences similar winter conditions to its neighbors in western Louisiana.

Extreme Heat for Three Months

Sabine Parish faces 88 days of extreme heat above 90°F, even more than some neighboring parishes. Winters stay mild with a January average of 47.7°F and a mere 0.2 inches of annual snow.

Sun Protection and Hydration Priorities

With 88 extreme heat days, residents must prioritize sun protection and hydration during the long summer months. Outdoor work is best scheduled for the early morning to avoid the midday 90°F peaks.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sabine Parish

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic and Sandy Landscapes

Sabine Parish presents a very acidic soil profile with an average pH of 5.43, well below the national target of 6.5. This acidity is typical of East Louisiana and East Texas timberlands where pines often thrive. Taxonomic data is limited, but the chemical profile suggests a need for soil amendments in traditional gardens.

Sand Dominates the Profile

With a high sand content of 60.8% and only 13.8% clay, these soils are coarse and porous. This composition means the soil is incredibly easy to dig and work, but it lacks the 'glue' provided by clay. Nutrient leaching can be an issue as water moves rapidly through the sandy layers.

Lower Reserves for Plant Growth

The organic matter is quite low at 1.55%, sitting below the national 2.0% average and the 6.38% state average. Available water capacity is also low at 0.135 in/in, meaning the soil dries out faster than the state average of 0.182 in/in. Frequent watering and heavy mulching are necessary to maintain moisture.

High Runoff in Group D

Despite the sandy texture, the soil is categorized in hydrologic group D, indicating high runoff potential during intense storms. This suggests that subsurface layers may be restrictive, preventing deep infiltration. Managing erosion is a priority for landowners on sloped terrains.

Thriving in Zone 8b Sands

The sandy soils of zone 8b are perfect for blueberries, camellias, and azaleas that love acidic conditions. Watermelons also flourish in this well-drained, sandy environment with proper fertilization. Get growing today by choosing plants that enjoy a lighter, faster-draining soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sabine Parish

via LawnByCounty

Conquering Sabine's Tough Turf Conditions

Sabine Parish records a lawn difficulty score of 26.9, making it one of the more challenging places in Louisiana for lawn care. This score is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0 and the state average of 33.8.

Intense Heat in Zone 8b

The parish endures 88 extreme heat days per year, which is four days higher than the state average. Combined with 57.0 inches of annual precipitation, this heat puts significant stress on lawns during the peak growing season.

Sandy Soil and Acidic pH

The soil is notably sandy at 60.8% with an acidic pH of 5.43, well below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. This high sand content means nutrients and water drain quickly, necessitating more frequent fertilization and irrigation.

Persistent Severe Drought Pressures

Current data shows 100.0% of the parish is in severe drought, following 22 weeks of dry conditions this past year. These extreme conditions demand a strict water conservation plan and drought-tolerant grass varieties.

Spring Planting After Early March

Plan your lawn projects for after the last spring frost on March 3. Because of the sandy, acidic soil, consider drought-hardy Bermuda or Centipede grass to ensure your lawn can withstand the local environment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sabine Parish's county score?
Sabine Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 62.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Sabine Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
Sabine Parish ranks #17 among all counties in Louisiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Sabine Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in Sabine Parish is $484, with an effective tax rate of 0.39%. This earns Sabine Parish a tax score of 93.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sabine Parish?
The median household income in Sabine Parish, Louisiana is $50,329 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sabine Parish earns an income score of 12.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sabine Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
Sabine Parish scores 62.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #17 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate Sabine Parish is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Sabine Parish with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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