Louisiana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in St. Tammany Parish, LA

The median household in St. Tammany Parish, LA earns $81,202 a year ($6,767/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,331/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$81,202$6,767 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,331HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.7-7.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate13.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential LA
Census Population272,421Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. Tammany Parish, LA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,331Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,030At 30% of $81,202
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: St. Tammany Parish, LA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for St. Tammany Parish, LA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$990$11,880$39,60014.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,130$13,560$45,20016.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,331$15,972$53,24019.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,724$20,688$68,96025.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,996$23,952$79,84029.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for St. Tammany Parish, LA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in St. Tammany Parish, LA

Based on the local median household income of $81,202/year ($6,767/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,383/moRent ($1,331 2-BR), utilities (~$121/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,030/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,353/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$81,202
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$81,202
Net 79%
Fed 11%
LA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$63,906After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,325Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,458Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,034 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$2,050 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,212 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Louisiana with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in St. Tammany Parish, LA

What is the median household income in St. Tammany Parish, LA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Tammany Parish, LA is $81,202 per year (approximately $6,767 per month).

What is the average rent in St. Tammany Parish, LA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in St. Tammany Parish, LA are $990 for a studio, $1,130 for 1 bedroom, $1,331 for 2 bedrooms, $1,724 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,996 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in St. Tammany 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. Tammany Parish, LA is 92.7 (7.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in St. Tammany Parish, LA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,331/month) in St. Tammany 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. Tammany Parish, LA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $81,202/year ($6,767/month) in St. Tammany Parish, LA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,383/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,030/month to discretionary spending, and $1,353/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in St. Tammany 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.