Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$58,651$4,888 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in St. Bernard Parish, LA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: St. Bernard Parish, LA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for New Orleans-Metairie, 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 | $964 | $11,568 | $38,560 | 19.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,113 | $13,356 | $44,520 | 22.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,331 | $15,972 | $53,240 | 27.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,701 | $20,412 | $68,040 | 34.8% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,996 | $23,952 | $79,840 | 40.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in St. Bernard Parish, LA
Based on the local median household income of $58,651/year ($4,888/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 St. Bernard Parish, LA
What is the median household income in St. Bernard Parish, LA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Bernard Parish, LA is $58,651 per year (approximately $4,888 per month).
What is the average rent in St. Bernard Parish, LA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in St. Bernard Parish, LA are $964 for a studio, $1,113 for 1 bedroom, $1,331 for 2 bedrooms, $1,701 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,996 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in St. Bernard Parish, LA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in St. Bernard Parish, LA is 92.6 (7.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in St. Bernard Parish, LA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,331/month) in St. Bernard Parish, LA requires a minimum gross household income of $53,240 per year ($4,437 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in St. Bernard Parish, LA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $58,651/year ($4,888/month) in St. Bernard Parish, LA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,444/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,466/month to discretionary spending, and $978/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in St. Bernard 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.