CountyScore

St. Tammany Parish

Louisiana · LA

#63 in Louisiana
62.8
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

St. Tammany leads Louisiana in livability

St. Tammany's score of 62.8 still exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 26%, reflecting genuine metropolitan advantages and economic strength. As the most affluent and developed parish in our analysis, St. Tammany delivers superior health outcomes (70.8) and minimal risk exposure (3.4). However, this prosperity comes at a significantly higher cost.

Trailing state average despite higher income

Surprisingly, St. Tammany scores 62.8 versus the state average of 70.4, pulled down by its high cost of living rather than deficient services. The parish trades affordability for income: median household earnings of $79,277 are highest in our analysis, but median home values of $272,200 consume that advantage. St. Tammany represents prosperity with a premium price tag.

Highest incomes and superior health care

St. Tammany's income score of 35.1 and median earnings of $79,277 tower above regional peers, enabling comfortable middle-class and professional lifestyles. Health outcomes at 70.8 reflect strong medical infrastructure and affluent demographics, while the risk score of 3.4—the lowest in our group—signals exceptional safety and stability. The parish offers the security of economic opportunity.

Cost of housing and higher tax rates

Median home values of $272,200 and rent at $1,305/month create affordability challenges that offset income gains; the cost score of 64.5 is lowest in our analysis. The effective tax rate of 0.737% is substantially higher than rural parishes, though still reasonable in national context. Households without significant income will find themselves priced out.

Prime for affluent professionals and families

St. Tammany Parish suits dual-income professional families, corporate executives, and established entrepreneurs who can absorb higher housing costs for superior schools, services, and safety. The parish delivers metropolitan amenities with suburban character—attractive to those prioritizing opportunity and quality over economy. It's Louisiana's choice for upwardly mobile, well-compensated households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.6Cost64.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.1Risk3.4WaterComing Soon
🏛81.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.4
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. Tammany Parish with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Indiana
62.8
Median income: $68,985
Butler County
Kansas
62.8
Median income: $80,375
Berkshire County
Massachusetts
62.8
Median income: $72,565
Harrison County
Mississippi
62.8
Median income: $57,233
Howard County
Texas
62.8
Median income: $71,457

Deep Dives

St. Tammany Parish across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Tammany Parish

via TaxByCounty

St. Tammany taxes significantly above U.S. average

St. Tammany Parish's effective tax rate of 0.737% generates median annual taxes of $2,005, roughly 75% of the national median property tax of $2,690. This places the parish in the upper half nationally, making it one of Louisiana's highest-taxing counties.

Louisiana's highest tax burden

St. Tammany's 0.737% rate is 75% higher than Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, ranking it among the top five tax parishes in the entire state. Median annual taxes of $2,005 far exceed the statewide median of $732—nearly three times higher.

Tax leader in the eight-parish region

St. Tammany's 0.737% rate dramatically exceeds all seven regional peers; the next-highest is Terrebonne Parish at 0.451%. St. Tammany residents pay roughly $1,200 more annually in property taxes than those in low-tax Tensas Parish, the largest gap in the group.

Your annual tax on a median home

With a median home value of $272,200, St. Tammany residents pay approximately $2,005 per year in property taxes, or $2,159 when mortgage escrow is included. This means monthly property tax payments of roughly $167—significantly more than the state average.

Challenge your assessment now

In high-tax parishes like St. Tammany, assessment appeals are especially worthwhile—even small reductions yield large annual savings. If your home's appraised value exceeds recent comparable sales prices in your neighborhood, file a free appeal to lower your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Tammany Parish

via CostByCounty

St. Tammany rents rise with incomes

At 19.8%, St. Tammany's rent-to-income ratio remains at the national affordability threshold despite the parish commanding the state's highest rents at $1,305 monthly. The difference: St. Tammany's median household income of $79,277 actually exceeds the national median by $4,522, allowing residents to absorb higher costs.

Louisiana's priciest but still affordable

St. Tammany stands alone at the top of Louisiana's cost-of-living spectrum, with median rents $432 above state average and home values of $272,200. Yet the parish maintains a reasonable 19.8% rent-to-income ratio, thanks to incomes that outpace all other Louisiana parishes.

St. Tammany costs double nearby parishes

At $1,305 monthly rent and $272,200 home values, St. Tammany dwarfs adjacent parishes—St. Landry rents for $742 and homes cost $142,900. This premium reflects St. Tammany's position as the region's economic engine and most desirable address.

High incomes justify premium housing costs

Renters here spend $1,305 monthly while homeowners carry $1,313, with a median income of $79,277 absorbing these costs elegantly. At 19.8% of household income, housing remains manageable even at premium prices.

St. Tammany for those with higher earnings

Relocating professionals earning above Louisiana's median should evaluate St. Tammany's $1,305 rents and $272,200 homes against their income stability. Compare this parish's premium positioning to lower-cost neighbors to determine if location justifies the price premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Tammany Parish

via IncomeByCounty

St. Tammany exceeds U.S. income

St. Tammany Parish households earn $79,277 annually, surpassing the national median of $74,755 by roughly $4,500. This places St. Tammany among the nation's better-performing parishes and marks it as Louisiana's most affluent region.

Louisiana's income leader

St. Tammany's $79,277 median income towers 43% above Louisiana's $55,250 state average, making it the clear income champion among the state's 64 parishes. Per capita income of $41,854 also ranks highest statewide.

Far outearns surrounding parishes

St. Tammany's $79,277 dwarfs nearby Tangipahoa Parish ($57,256) by $22,000 and St. Martin Parish ($53,394) by $25,800. The stark gap reflects St. Tammany's affluent suburbs and stronger job market near New Orleans.

Highest incomes enable wealth building

St. Tammany's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable despite median home values of $272,200, the highest in the region. The combination of strong incomes and reasonable housing cost ratios creates significant opportunity for savings and investment.

Accelerate wealth through diversification

St. Tammany households earning $79,277 should maximize 401(k) contributions ($23,500 annually for 2024) and invest in diversified portfolios. At 7% annual returns, aggressive saving of $500+ monthly builds $300,000+ within 15 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Tammany Parish

via HealthByCounty

St. Tammany leads Louisiana on health

At 76.5 years, St. Tammany Parish residents live just 0.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years—exceptional for Louisiana. With only 19% reporting poor or fair health, the parish performs better than the national average of 17%, marking it as a health leader.

Best health outcomes in Louisiana

St. Tammany Parish's 76.5-year life expectancy significantly exceeds Louisiana's 72.5-year state average by 4 years. The parish's 19% poor/fair health rate is the best in the state, reflecting strong healthcare infrastructure and community health.

Clearly outperforms regional peers

St. Tammany's 76.5-year life expectancy leads all comparison parishes by 3+ years, and its 19% poor/fair rate is 5+ percentage points better than most neighbors. With 77 primary care providers and 296 mental health providers per 100,000, the parish has the deepest clinical resources in the region.

Excellent coverage and access infrastructure

At 8.0% uninsured, St. Tammany matches Louisiana's state average despite its high-income profile, suggesting strong outreach and enrollment. The parish offers 77 primary care and 296 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest provider density in this comparison.

Maintain coverage for ongoing health success

St. Tammany's excellent health outcomes reflect strong coverage rates; if you're among the uninsured, explore Louisiana's marketplace to keep your family healthy. Visit Healthcare.gov to review plans and ensure you have continuous access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Tammany Parish

via RiskByCounty

St. Tammany faces highest national exposure

St. Tammany Parish's composite risk score of 96.56 places it among America's most disaster-prone counties, earning a "Relatively High" rating. The parish confronts extreme exposure across multiple hazard types simultaneously.

Louisiana's riskiest parish by far

St. Tammany's score of 96.56 soars 55% above Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it the single riskiest parish in the entire state. No other Louisiana parish approaches St. Tammany's exposure level.

Substantially riskier than surrounding parishes

St. Tammany (96.56) far exceeds nearby Tangipahoa Parish (93.32) and surpasses every other adjacent parish statewide. Only St. Tammany carries a "Relatively High" rating; all others rank "Relatively Moderate" or lower.

All hazards present acute threats

Hurricane risk reaches 98.92—the state's highest—while flood risk of 94.21 and tornado risk of 86.58 create a severe triple threat. Wildfire risk of 89.57 also stands exceptionally high, adding a fourth seasonal danger.

Maximum protection is essential

St. Tammany residents should invest in comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and wind coverage, separate flood insurance, and consider a safe room or shelter given the extreme tornado risk of 86.58. Verify that coverage limits reflect the parish's exceptional 98.92 hurricane threat.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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