Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,688$4,557 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Ouachita Parish, LA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Ouachita Parish, LA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Monroe, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $765 | $9,180 | $30,600 | 16.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $793 | $9,516 | $31,720 | 17.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,026 | $12,312 | $41,040 | 22.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,319 | $15,828 | $52,760 | 28.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,358 | $16,296 | $54,320 | 29.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Ouachita Parish, LA
Based on the local median household income of $54,688/year ($4,557/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Louisiana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Louisiana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Louisiana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Ouachita Parish, LA
What is the median household income in Ouachita Parish, LA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Ouachita Parish, LA is $54,688 per year (approximately $4,557 per month).
What is the average rent in Ouachita Parish, LA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Ouachita Parish, LA are $765 for a studio, $793 for 1 bedroom, $1,026 for 2 bedrooms, $1,319 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,358 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Ouachita Parish, LA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Ouachita Parish, LA is 83.6 (16.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Ouachita Parish, LA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,026/month) in Ouachita Parish, LA requires a minimum gross household income of $41,040 per year ($3,420 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Ouachita Parish, LA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,688/year ($4,557/month) in Ouachita Parish, LA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,279/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,367/month to discretionary spending, and $911/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Ouachita Parish, LA?
Residential electricity rates in Louisiana average 13.5¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $121 per month.