Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$921$11,052 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. James Parish, LA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: St. James Parish, LA
Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $697 | $8,364 | $27,880 | $13.40/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $702 | $8,424 | $28,080 | $13.50/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $921 | $11,052 | $36,840 | $17.71/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,281 | $15,372 | $51,240 | $24.63/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,315 | $15,780 | $52,600 | $25.29/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in St. James Parish, LA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in St. James Parish, LA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in St. James Parish, LA is $921 per month ($11,052 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in St. James Parish, LA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $921/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $17.71 per hour ($36,840/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in St. James Parish, LA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in St. James Parish, LA are: Studio: $697/mo, 1-Bedroom: $702/mo, 2-Bedroom: $921/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,281/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,315/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in St. James Parish, LA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $65,531/year ($5,461/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 16.9% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in St. James Parish, LA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $921/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($921 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $36,840 per year.