Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,576$4,381 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in St. Mary Parish, LA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: St. Mary Parish, LA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for St. Mary Parish, LA. 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 | $717 | $8,604 | $28,680 | 16.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $722 | $8,664 | $28,880 | 16.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $947 | $11,364 | $37,880 | 21.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,244 | $14,928 | $49,760 | 28.4% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,512 | $18,144 | $60,480 | 34.5% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in St. Mary Parish, LA
Based on the local median household income of $52,576/year ($4,381/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. Mary Parish, LA
What is the median household income in St. Mary Parish, LA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Mary Parish, LA is $52,576 per year (approximately $4,381 per month).
What is the average rent in St. Mary Parish, LA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in St. Mary Parish, LA are $717 for a studio, $722 for 1 bedroom, $947 for 2 bedrooms, $1,244 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,512 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in St. Mary 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. Mary Parish, LA is 88.2 (11.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in St. Mary Parish, LA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($947/month) in St. Mary Parish, LA requires a minimum gross household income of $37,880 per year ($3,157 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in St. Mary Parish, LA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,576/year ($4,381/month) in St. Mary Parish, LA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,191/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,314/month to discretionary spending, and $876/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in St. Mary 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.