Taxes and Insurance? (New Orleans, Slidell, Galliano: sales, car registration, insurance)

[Tx Z Girl]

So we may move to the New Orleans area at the end of the school year.

Here in Texas, we don't have a state income tax. Sales tax is 8.25%, but no tax on groceries. Also, property taxes vary by county. And supposedly we have the highest home owner's insurance and flood insurance in the country. I don't know for sure, cause I've never researched insurance rates in other states.

So what am I looking for taxes and insurance in Louisiana?

Thanks!

[TXRyan23]

I can promise you that insurance rates for houses in the coastal Louisiana parishes are MUCH higher then Texas. I lived in LaFourche Parish and I think the percentage they used to quote was that 90% of homeowners in LaFourche didn't have homeowners because they couldn't afford it. I also think I remember hearing that the only people offering insurance in the coastal parishes was the state run citizens insurance.

I live in Houston now in one of the worst autotheft zipcodes in the country and our car insurance rates are comparable with what we paid in the boonies in Galliano, LA.

I was quoted something like $400 to register my truck in Louisiana (orig. bought and registered in Tennessee) because they wanted me to pay sales tax again. I do have to say that after the initial fees, Louisiana has some of the best car registration fees in the U.S. a part of that $400 also registered my truck for 4 years...

[dal2aus]

I lived in Austin for 15 years and moved to New Orleans last fall, after living in Mississippi for a year, so I have different states to compare. Yes, there is state income tax, and sales tax is 9%. When you compare Louisiana's income tax, sales tax, and property tax with Texas' property tax, it's probably a wash. The only exception may be in Orleans parish, where the property taxes are close to those in a big Texas city and then you still have to pay income tax. The real difference is in insurance costs, and not just property and flood insurance. You will see a huge difference in your auto insurance as well. I live in the New Orleans metro, so I imagine that living in a less urban area (lower thefts and accidents) and on higher ground would help. Keep in mind that flood insurance is not required everywhere in Louisiana, although I wouldn't recommend skipping it if you buy property below I-12 even if your lender doesn't require it. Before purchasing a property or a vehicle, get an insurance quote. Depending on where you settle, your current insurance company may have stopped writing policies. I had to switch companies, as my old insurer had stopped underwriting in south Louisiana.

[Tx Z Girl]

We currently live in Southern Brazoria County, 55 miles south of Houston. Being so far south and out in the middle of nowhere, we've gotten used to living quite cheaply!

If/when we move to Louisiana, it will be north of I12, probably Slidell. Who should I contact for taxes and stuff?

Thanks for all your help!

[dal2aus]

For tax info, you can probably check the tax assessor's website of the parish you're looking at. Most parish websites have their millage rates posted. St. Tammany Parish is the main parish above I-12, and includes Slidell. This is probably a good time to find a local Realtor who can give you tax information for a specific property.

BTW, my husband is from Brazoria County. Still has family in Alvin.

[Tx Z Girl]

Thanks dal2aus! We're south of Alvin even! LOL!

I've started to get stressed out about this "move", so I'm taking a little break from research. We won't even know if we will have to move or not till March 24. So then I'll start looking deeper into stuff.