CountyScore

St. Landry Parish

Louisiana · LA

#42 in Louisiana
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

St. Landry scores well above national median

With a composite score of 69.2, St. Landry Parish significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 39% advantage over the national average reflects solid fundamentals across affordability, tax burden, and health metrics. The parish ranks well for families prioritizing cost-effective living without sacrificing basic quality-of-life standards.

Slightly below Louisiana average

St. Landry's score of 69.2 falls just under the state average of 70.4, placing it in the middle tier among Louisiana parishes. While competitive within the state, the parish trails about half of its neighbors in the broader livability landscape. This positioning suggests it offers solid value but doesn't stand out as a state leader.

Unbeatable tax burden and affordability

St. Landry excels in tax efficiency with a score of 93.9 and an effective tax rate of just 0.297%—among the lowest in the state. Housing remains deeply affordable, with median home values of $142,900 and median rent at $742/month, giving residents genuine purchasing power. These combined strengths make the parish particularly attractive to cost-conscious households.

Income growth and health needs attention

With a median household income of $45,637 and an income score of just 13.2, St. Landry faces economic challenges that limit household earnings potential. Health outcomes score 57.8—a moderate result—and the risk score of 11.8 suggests underlying vulnerabilities that residents should evaluate carefully. These factors reflect broader economic pressures in rural Louisiana.

Best for budget-conscious retirees and families

St. Landry Parish suits households prioritizing affordability and low tax burden over high incomes and robust public services. Retirees on fixed incomes and working families with modest earnings will find genuine value here, though those seeking higher wages or extensive amenities should look elsewhere. It's a practical choice for people who value financial breathing room.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93.9Cost87.7SafetyComing SoonHealth57.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.2Risk11.8WaterComing Soon
🏛93.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.8
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 St. Landry Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

St. Landry Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Landry Parish

via TaxByCounty

St. Landry taxes far below national average

St. Landry Parish homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 0.297%, less than one-fifth the national median property tax burden of $2,690 on a typical home. This places the parish in the lowest quartile nationally, meaning most American counties tax property significantly more heavily.

Among Louisiana's lowest tax rates

St. Landry's 0.297% effective rate ranks it well below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, placing the parish in the bottom third of the state's 64 parishes for tax burden. Median taxes here average just $425 annually, compared to the statewide median of $732.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

St. Landry's rate of 0.297% undercuts neighboring Tangipahoa Parish (0.433%) and St. Martin Parish (0.404%), though it runs slightly below Tensas Parish (0.289%), the region's lowest. Among the eight-parish comparison group, only Tensas residents pay less in absolute dollars.

Your annual tax on a median home

On St. Landry's median home value of $142,900, homeowners pay approximately $425 per year in property taxes—or $581 if they have a mortgage with tax and insurance escrow. This means a typical resident spends about $35 monthly on property taxes, among Louisiana's lowest costs.

Check if your assessment is fair

Even in low-tax parishes like St. Landry, many homeowners are overassessed relative to their home's market value. If your property taxes seem high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, you may qualify for an assessment appeal—a free or low-cost process that saves hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Landry Parish

via CostByCounty

St. Landry's rent burden matches the nation

Renters here spend 19.5% of income on housing, exactly matching the national benchmark and the Louisiana state average. This alignment masks a deeper reality: St. Landry's median household income of $45,637 runs $29,118 below the national median, meaning residents achieve affordability through lower rents, not higher earnings.

Right in the middle for Louisiana

St. Landry ranks squarely at the state average for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.5%—neither a burden nor a bargain among Louisiana's 64 parishes. The parish sits in the affordable tier statewide, though income levels remain below state norms.

Cheaper than neighbors, cheaper than state

At $742 monthly rent, St. Landry undercuts the state average of $873 by $131, and sits below nearby St. Mary ($839) and St. Martin ($865). For home buyers, the median value of $142,900 positions it as an accessible entry point compared to pricier southeastern parishes.

Rent and ownership split housing load evenly

Renters pay $742 monthly while homeowners carry $490 in monthly costs, reflecting a median home value of $142,900. With a median income of $45,637, housing consumes roughly 19.5% of household income for renters—sustainable but leaving limited room for other essentials.

Consider St. Landry for low-cost living

If housing affordability tops your relocation priorities, St. Landry delivers rents and ownership costs well below Louisiana's median, anchored by a median home value near $143,000. Compare this parish's stable, affordable market to higher-priced southeastern neighbors before deciding where to plant roots.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Landry Parish

via IncomeByCounty

St. Landry's income gap widens

St. Landry Parish households earn $45,637 annually, trailing the nation's median of $74,755 by nearly $30,000. This 39% gap reflects broader economic pressures facing rural Louisiana parishes compared to wealthier U.S. counties.

Below Louisiana's parish average

St. Landry ranks near the lower end of Louisiana parishes, with incomes about 17% below the state median of $55,250. Only a handful of Louisiana parishes earn less, placing it among the state's economically challenged regions.

Struggling relative to neighbors

St. Landry's $45,637 median falls significantly short of nearby Tangipahoa Parish ($57,256) and St. Martin Parish ($53,394). The parish lags even its nearest-struggling neighbor, Union Parish, by roughly $100.

Rent-to-income ratio stays manageable

At 19.5%, St. Landry's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs remain reasonable for renters. However, the lower overall median income leaves less room for savings, healthcare, and other essential expenses.

Build wealth despite modest income

St. Landry residents should prioritize employer retirement plans and low-cost index funds to grow assets over time. Even small monthly contributions compound significantly: investing $100 monthly at 7% annual returns grows to over $100,000 in 20 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Landry Parish

via HealthByCounty

St. Landry falls short on life expectancy

At 69.7 years, St. Landry Parish residents live nearly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The parish also reports a 26.7% poor or fair health rate, well above the national average of 17%. These gaps signal deeper health challenges that shape daily life here.

Among Louisiana's poorest health outcomes

St. Landry's 69.7-year life expectancy ranks below Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years by nearly 3 years. The parish's 26.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, placing it in the lower tier of Louisiana parishes for overall health status.

Significant gap compared to nearby parishes

St. Landry's life expectancy of 69.7 years trails St. Martin Parish (73.3 years) and Tangipahoa Parish (72.1 years) by 3+ years. With only 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the parish still exceeds its neighbors Union Parish (19) and Tensas Parish (25), though access remains stretched.

Limited access compounds health struggles

An 8.5% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 12 residents lack health coverage, above Louisiana's 8.1% state average. With 67 primary care providers per 100,000, St. Landry offers some access, but the high rate of self-reported poor health suggests barriers to effective preventive and ongoing care.

Explore health coverage options today

If you're among the uninsured, Louisiana's marketplace offers plans at multiple price points, and you may qualify for Medicaid expansion or subsidies. Visit Healthcare.gov or Louisiana's health insurance marketplace to see your options and find coverage that fits your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Landry Parish

via RiskByCounty

St. Landry ranks above national average

With a composite risk score of 88.20, St. Landry Parish faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects the parish's exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and hurricanes that regularly threaten the region.

Well above Louisiana's typical risk

St. Landry's 88.20 score towers 41% above Louisiana's state average of 62.37, placing it among the riskier parishes statewide. The parish experiences compound threats that most of the state does not face at comparable intensity levels.

Similar risk to southern Louisiana parishes

St. Landry's risk profile closely mirrors that of St. Martin Parish (87.28) and St. Mary Parish (88.93), three southern parishes sharing comparable tornado and hurricane exposure. All three face substantially higher risk than Tensas Parish (14.50) in northeast Louisiana.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate

Tornado risk scores an exceptionally high 94.15, while hurricane risk reaches 92.24—making these the two primary threats residents must prepare for. Flooding also registers as significant at 87.44, creating a triple threat during severe weather events.

Bundle coverage for multiple threats

St. Landry residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance that includes coverage for wind damage (hurricanes and tornadoes) and flood damage, which standard policies exclude. A safe room or storm shelter adds crucial protection given the parish's extreme tornado risk of 94.15.

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.