St. Martin Parish scores 69.6—nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0—placing it comfortably in the upper half of American counties. This strong performance reflects balanced strengths in affordability, taxation, and health care access. The parish demonstrates that rural Louisiana communities can deliver genuine livability when fundamentals are sound.
2 / 5
Competitive with Louisiana's best
St. Martin's composite score of 69.6 ranks just below the state average of 70.4, positioning it among Louisiana's stronger parishes. The parish pulls slightly ahead of St. Landry and competes closely with its regional neighbors. This suggests St. Martin offers a reliable option without the premium costs of top-tier parishes.
3 / 5
Strong health outcomes and low taxes
St. Martin boasts a health score of 65.2—well above the parish average—and a tax score of 90.9 with an effective rate of 0.404%. Housing affordability is solid, with median home values at $151,000 and rent at $865/month. The parish's income level of $53,394 gives it a modest advantage over nearby competitors.
4 / 5
Limited income growth potential
St. Martin's income score of 18.2 reflects median household earnings of $53,394, leaving residents with limited wage-growth prospects. The risk score of 12.7 suggests some vulnerability to economic or environmental pressures. These constraints mean households dependent on rising incomes may face headwinds in the parish economy.
5 / 5
Ideal for health-conscious affordable-living seekers
St. Martin Parish appeals to families and retirees who value accessible health care, low taxes, and moderate housing costs over career advancement. The health advantage makes it particularly suitable for aging populations or those with ongoing medical needs. It's a safe, economical choice for people already established in their careers.
St. Martin Parish scores 69.6—nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0—placing it comfortably in the upper half of American counties. This strong performance reflects balanced strengths in affordability, taxation, and health care access. The parish demonstrates that rural Louisiana communities can deliver genuine livability when fundamentals are sound.
Competitive with Louisiana's best
St. Martin's composite score of 69.6 ranks just below the state average of 70.4, positioning it among Louisiana's stronger parishes. The parish pulls slightly ahead of St. Landry and competes closely with its regional neighbors. This suggests St. Martin offers a reliable option without the premium costs of top-tier parishes.
Strong health outcomes and low taxes
St. Martin boasts a health score of 65.2—well above the parish average—and a tax score of 90.9 with an effective rate of 0.404%. Housing affordability is solid, with median home values at $151,000 and rent at $865/month. The parish's income level of $53,394 gives it a modest advantage over nearby competitors.
Limited income growth potential
St. Martin's income score of 18.2 reflects median household earnings of $53,394, leaving residents with limited wage-growth prospects. The risk score of 12.7 suggests some vulnerability to economic or environmental pressures. These constraints mean households dependent on rising incomes may face headwinds in the parish economy.
Ideal for health-conscious affordable-living seekers
St. Martin Parish appeals to families and retirees who value accessible health care, low taxes, and moderate housing costs over career advancement. The health advantage makes it particularly suitable for aging populations or those with ongoing medical needs. It's a safe, economical choice for people already established in their careers.
Score breakdown
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🏛90.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
St. Martin Parish's effective tax rate of 0.404% generates a median annual tax of $610, roughly one-quarter the national median property tax of $2,690. This places the parish comfortably in the bottom third of all American counties for tax burden.
Slightly above Louisiana's middle
St. Martin's rate of 0.404% sits just below Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, ranking the parish in the middle tier of Louisiana's 64 parishes. Median taxes of $610 annually exceed the statewide median of $732, placing residents near the state's average burden.
Moderate taxes in a low-tax region
St. Martin Parish (0.404%) taxes slightly more than St. Landry (0.297%) and Tensas (0.289%) but less than Tangipahoa (0.433%) and Terrebonne (0.451%). Among the eight-parish peer group, St. Martin ranks fourth in tax rate, making it a moderate-tax parish regionally.
Your annual tax on a median home
With a median home value of $151,000, St. Martin residents typically pay $610 per year in property taxes, or $984 when mortgage escrow is included. This amounts to about $51 monthly—reasonable by both state and national standards.
Appeal if your assessment is high
Many St. Martin Parish homeowners pay taxes on assessments higher than their home's true market value. Filing an assessment appeal costs nothing and often results in lower taxes; if your property's appraised value exceeds recent comparable sales, you likely have grounds to challenge it.
At 19.4%, St. Martin's rent-to-income ratio falls slightly below the national average of 30% and matches Louisiana's state average, signaling healthy housing affordability. With a median household income of $53,394, residents here enjoy better earning power than many rural Louisiana parishes while maintaining manageable housing costs.
Among Louisiana's most affordable parishes
St. Martin ranks at the very top of Louisiana's affordability ladder with a 19.4% rent-to-income ratio, matching or beating 90% of the state's parishes. This places renters and homebuyers in an enviable position for financial stability.
Slight cost advantage in the region
St. Martin's $865 monthly rent sits between St. Landry ($742) and St. Mary ($839), offering a middle ground in the tri-parish region. Home values at $151,000 position St. Martin above St. Landry but below Tangipahoa's $204,600, creating balanced options for different budgets.
Income and housing costs align well here
Renters spend $865 monthly while homeowners pay $574, with a median income of $53,394 cushioning the burden. Just 19.4% of household income flows to rent, leaving room for savings and other household priorities.
St. Martin balances affordability and income
Relocating families seeking affordability with decent earning potential should examine St. Martin's favorable 19.4% rent-to-income ratio and $151,000 median home value. Compare this parish's stability to neighbors like St. Landry and St. Mary to find your best fit.
St. Martin Parish households earn $53,394 annually, about $21,300 short of the national median of $74,755. This 29% gap places St. Martin solidly below national income benchmarks, though closer to national norms than some peer parishes.
Slightly above Louisiana's median
St. Martin's $53,394 median income edges just under Louisiana's $55,250 state average. The parish ranks in the middle tier of Louisiana's 64 parishes, positioning it as a moderate-income region by state standards.
Outearns struggling peers
St. Martin's $53,394 outpaces St. Landry Parish ($45,637) and Union Parish ($45,743) by roughly 17%, though Tangipahoa Parish pulls ahead at $57,256. The parish sits in a competitive middle ground within its regional cluster.
Housing costs remain affordable
With a 19.4% rent-to-income ratio, St. Martin residents spend less than one-fifth of earnings on rent, well below affordability concerns. The median home value of $151,000 also remains accessible to households earning near the parish median.
Strategic saving fuels long-term gains
St. Martin residents can boost wealth by automating savings and exploring employer 401(k) matches. A household earning $53,394 that saves just $150 monthly ($1,800 yearly) accumulates $36,000 in emergency funds within five years before interest.
At 73.3 years, St. Martin Parish residents live about 2.8 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, a smaller gap than most Louisiana parishes. A 22.5% poor or fair health rate, while above the national 17% average, is markedly better than many neighbors.
Healthier-than-average Louisiana parish
St. Martin Parish's 73.3-year life expectancy ranks above Louisiana's state average of 72.5 years by 0.8 years. The parish stands in the healthier half of Louisiana parishes, with only 22.5% reporting poor or fair health compared to higher rates across the state.
Top performer among surrounding parishes
St. Martin's 73.3-year life expectancy beats St. Landry (69.7) and Tangipahoa (72.1), and its 22.5% poor/fair health rate is among the best in the region. However, the parish has just 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the lowest in this comparison group.
Good health outcomes despite provider scarcity
With a 7.9% uninsured rate slightly below Louisiana's 8.1% average, most St. Martin residents have coverage. But the parish serves its population with only 21 primary care providers per 100,000—among the lowest locally—suggesting strong health outcomes despite provider constraints.
Keep coverage strong for all residents
St. Martin's low uninsured rate is a strength, but those 7.9% without coverage should explore Louisiana's marketplace plans and expanded Medicaid eligibility. Visit Healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage options and ensure continuity.
St. Martin Parish's composite risk score of 87.28 places it well above typical U.S. disaster exposure levels with a "Relatively Moderate" rating. The parish confronts a concentrated threat from hurricanes and tornadoes that shape year-round preparedness needs.
39% riskier than Louisiana average
At 87.28, St. Martin Parish scores 39% higher than Louisiana's average of 62.37, ranking among the state's most hazard-exposed parishes. This elevated risk is driven primarily by intense hurricane and tornado threats unique to south Louisiana.
Part of high-risk southern cluster
St. Martin sits alongside St. Mary Parish (88.93) and St. Landry Parish (88.20) in a corridor of elevated risk in southern Louisiana. These three parishes consistently exceed state average risk by roughly 40%, distinguishing them from lower-risk areas like Tensas Parish (14.50).
Hurricanes and tornadoes drive threat
Hurricane risk reaches 96.12—among the highest in the state—while tornado risk of 89.50 creates a dual seasonal threat. Flooding at 87.00 compounds these risks, particularly during tropical systems that bring heavy rainfall to the region.
Prioritize flood and wind insurance
St. Martin residents must carry separate flood insurance on top of homeowners coverage, as standard policies exclude water damage. Hurricane-force wind coverage is essential given the parish's 96.12 hurricane score.