countyscore
44
County Score
Income & Jobs 83Soil Quality 63.6Property Tax 58.6

County Report Card

About St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

High Wealth Meets High Risk

St. Tammany Parish posts a composite score of 44.1, falling below the national median of 50.0. High costs and significant environmental risks pull down a profile otherwise defined by local wealth.

Falling Behind the State Average

The parish ranks below the Louisiana average of 53.0 due to a severe lack of housing affordability. Despite its high income levels, the cost of living and natural disaster risks create a drag on the overall index.

Economic Power and Public Safety

Economic strength is the major draw, featuring an Income Score of 83.0 and a median household income of $79,277. Residents also enjoy relatively strong health outcomes and public safety, scoring 58.4 and 53.7 respectively.

Extreme Costs and High Risk

Living here is expensive, as seen in the low Cost Score of 12.8 and a median home value of $272,200. Additionally, the Risk Score of 3.4 highlights the parish's extreme vulnerability to natural disasters.

Suits High-Earning Professionals

St. Tammany is designed for professionals and families who prioritize safety and community amenities. Residents must be willing to pay a premium and manage environmental risks for a higher standard of living.

2040608010058.612.853.758.445.5833.436.433.4Tax58.6Cost12.8Safety53.7Health58.4Schools45.5Income83Risk3.4Water36.4Weather33.444/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

St. Tammany Parish DNA

Foverall

How St. Tammany Parish compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

St. Tammany Parish is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (83/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (3.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
58.6
Cost
12.8-35.2
Safety
53.7
Health
58.4+8.399999999999999
Schools
45.5-8.5
Income
83+32
Risk
3.4-43.6
Water
36.4-21.6
Weather
33.4-22.6
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Compare mortgage rates in St. Tammany Parish

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$284,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,332/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$284,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $81,202/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.6

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
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Nearby counties

Hancock County
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35.9
Orleans Parish
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23.5
Pearl River County
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42.8
Tangipahoa Parish
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34
Washington Parish
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46.8
St. Bernard Parish
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41.6
St. John the Baptist Parish
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41.9
St. Charles Parish
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48.2

Deep Dives

St. Tammany Parish across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in St. Tammany Parish

via CrimeByCounty

St. Tammany Ranks High for National Safety

St. Tammany Parish boasts an impressive safety score of 98.3, making it one of the safer regions in the United States. Its total crime rate of 1047.8 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5 per 100,000.

A Safety Leader in Louisiana

The parish significantly outperforms the Louisiana safety average score of 97.1. Its total crime rate of 1047.8 is far lower than the state average of 1853.7, cementing its reputation as a secure place to live.

Far Safer Than Neighboring Tangipahoa

St. Tammany’s crime rate of 1047.8 stands in stark contrast to neighboring Tangipahoa Parish, where the rate is 3156.3. This makes St. Tammany a preferred location for those seeking lower crime exposure.

Exceptionally Low Violent Crime Rates

Violent crime in the parish is remarkably low at 143.5 per 100,000, well below the national mark of 369.8. Property crime makes up the bulk of activity at 904.3, though this is still very low by national standards.

Maintain Your Secure Environment

While crime is low, maintaining high security standards helps keep these numbers down. Ensure your home is well-lit and your alarm systems are active to deter any rare instances of property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Tammany Parish

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical heat on the Northshore

St. Tammany Parish maintains an average annual temperature of 67.4°F, significantly higher than the U.S. national median. The climate is defined by high humidity and heavy annual precipitation totaling 64.2 inches.

Typical Louisiana thermal patterns

The parish sits slightly above the state average of 67.0°F. While it is cooler than the coastal parishes to the south, it still experiences 76 days of extreme heat annually.

Wetter than Tangipahoa Parish

St. Tammany is slightly warmer and wetter than its neighbor Tangipahoa, which averages 66.8°F and 63.6 inches of rain. Both parishes share a similar Northshore climate profile with nearly identical winter averages.

High humidity and rare snow

Summer averages 80.9°F with 76 days of extreme heat over 90°F. Winters are mild at 53.1°F, though the parish occasionally sees a trace of snow, averaging 0.1 inches annually.

Prepare for wet summers

With 64.2 inches of annual rain, high-capacity drainage systems are essential for local properties. Residents should plan outdoor maintenance around the 76 extreme heat days that occur mostly between June and August.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Tammany Parish

via SoilByCounty

The Acidic Entisols of St. Tammany

The average pH here is quite low at 4.75, making it significantly more acidic than the state average of 5.74. These soils are classified as Entisols, which are geologically young and chemically distinct.

A Gritty and Varied Mix

With 32.4% sand and 29.5% silt, these soils have more grit than many of their coastal neighbors. However, the 18.1% clay helps provide enough structure to keep the soil from being overly loose.

Rich Organic Matter and High Capacity

Organic matter is very high at 15.39%, more than double the state average. This helps support an available water capacity of 0.211 in/in, ensuring that plants have access to water even in the sandy patches.

Navigating Very Poorly Drained Lands

The soil is classified as very poorly drained and falls into hydrologic group D. This means water tends to sit on the surface, requiring elevated beds for gardening and specialized foundations for building.

Blueberries Love the Acidic Zone 9a

The acidic 4.75 pH is perfect for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas. Don't let the drainage stop you; with a 63.6 soil score and some raised beds, your landscape will flourish.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Tammany Parish

via LawnByCounty

Extreme difficulty in St. Tammany

St. Tammany Parish faces one of the hardest lawn environments in the state with a difficulty score of only 21.3. Homeowners in this Zone 9a region must overcome significant soil and drainage obstacles.

High moisture and rapid growth

A staggering 64.2 inches of annual precipitation and 6,649 growing degree days mean grass grows aggressively but faces high disease pressure. The 76 extreme heat days add further stress to traditional turf varieties.

Very acidic and poorly drained

The soil pH of 4.75 is critically low, requiring significant lime amendments to reach the 6.0 ideal. Combined with 'very poorly drained' classifications and 32.4% sand, maintaining nutrient levels is a constant battle.

Short but frequent dry spells

The parish experienced 16 weeks of drought recently, and 92.7% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Focusing on organic matter additions can improve the water-holding capacity of the sandy local soils.

Wait for the March warmth

Centipede grass is a popular choice for acidic soils like these, provided you correct the pH first. The safest time to start your lawn is after the final spring frost on March 3.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Tammany Parish's county score?
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana has a composite county score of 44 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 St. Tammany Parish rank among counties in Louisiana?
St. Tammany Parish ranks #49 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 St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana?
The median annual property tax in St. Tammany Parish is $2,028, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns St. Tammany Parish a tax score of 58.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Tammany Parish?
The median household income in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana is $81,202 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Tammany Parish earns an income score of 83/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana a good place to live?
St. Tammany Parish scores 44/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #49 in Louisiana. The best way to evaluate St. Tammany 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 St. Tammany 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.