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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in St. James Parish, Louisiana

St. James Parish has a HUD fair market rent of $1,165 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $903 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $22.40 an hour, full time.

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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,165
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
About the same as in Louisiana
Typical rent
$903
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
15% less than in Louisiana
Wage needed
$22.40
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $46,600 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
Data not available
The official source doesn't publish this figure for this place.

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in St. James Parish: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. At 84%, St. James Parish ranks 5th among the 64 parishes in Louisiana for the highest homeownership rate.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

Fair market rent

What HUD sets for each size

Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in St. James Parish. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.

The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $868 $16.69 $34,720
1 bedroom $891 $17.13 $35,640
2 bedrooms $1,165 $22.40 $46,600
3 bedrooms $1,613 $31.02 $64,520
4 bedrooms $1,753 $33.71 $70,120

HUD area: St. James Parish, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

The fair market rent for your ZIP code

HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 8 ZIP codes in St. James Parish (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 70086 to $1,530 in 70071. 7 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,165).

Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)

  • 70052 · St. James Parish, LA $1,430$1,980
  • 70071 · St. James Parish, LA $1,530$2,120
  • 70086 · St. James Parish, LA $910$1,180
  • 70090 · New Orleans-Metairie, LA $1,210$1,540
  • 70090 · St. James Parish, LA $1,210$1,540
  • 70723 · St. James Parish, LA $1,170$1,620
  • 70743 · St. James Parish, LA $1,170$1,620
  • 70763 · St. James Parish, LA $1,220$1,690

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in St. James Parish

HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in St. James Parish: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.

with tax credits (LIHTC)
6
HUD-assisted
2
public housing
2

476 homes in all; 315 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Vacherie Complex Public housing 2366 Project Dr, Vacherie 70090 176 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of St. James Parish · Average payment: $373 a month · Average wait: 15 months · (225) 869-3278
  • Oscar Brooks Apartments Public housing Lutcher 70071 76 homes, 75 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of St. James Parish · Average payment: $393 a month · Average wait: 48 months · (225) 869-3278
  • Central Crossing Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 9282 Central Project St, Convent 70723 36 low-income homes · For families · (225) 869-3278
  • Convent Trace Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 6220 Reverend Thomas Scott St, Convent 70723 28 low-income homes · For families · (225) 869-3278
  • Sugar Hill Crossing Tax credit (LIHTC) 10173 N Line St, St James 70086 69 homes
  • Riverlands Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 33745 Caroldale Lane, Paulina 70763 59 homes · 2 bd: 7 · In service since 1994 · For families
  • Clearview Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) 2512 N King Ave, Lutcher 70071 32 homes · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2006
  • Riverlands I Tax credit (LIHTC) 3893 W Longview Rd, Paulina 70763 In service since 1994

2 properties have two programs at the same address and appear once. Search HUD's map

Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.

Section 8

The Section 8 voucher in St. James Parish

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in St. James Parish. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. HUD

  2. Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$19,750 $32,900 $52,650
$22,600 $37,600 $60,200
$27,320 $42,300 $67,700
$33,000 $47,000 $75,200
$38,680 $50,800 $81,250
$44,360 $54,550 $87,250
$50,040 $58,300 $93,250
$55,720 $62,050 $99,300

Area median income: $94,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: St. James Parish, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $781 – $955
  • 1 bedroom $802 – $980
  • 2 bedrooms $1,049 – $1,282
  • 3 bedrooms $1,452 – $1,774
  • 4 bedrooms $1,578 – $1,928

The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.

Housing agencies that serve this place

Housing agencies in Louisiana Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Your rights as a tenant in Louisiana

What Louisiana law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.

See your rights, rule by rule

Compare these rules with other states →

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
5 days
La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
How much notice before a rent increase?
10 calendar days
La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)
  • Repair and deduct from the rentLa. Civ. Code art. 2694

Help

Where to get help with rent in St. James Parish

These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • Jefferson Community Action Programs

    1221 Elmwood Park Blvd, New Orleans · 36 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (504) 736-6900

  • Mid City Redevelopment Alliance

    419 N 19th St, Baton Rouge · 37 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (225) 346-1000
See every agency in Louisiana Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in St. James Parish. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.

Count power on top of the rent: in Louisiana, the average home bill was $141 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$2,330

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$1,165
Security deposit
$1,165
Total
$2,330

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

When you'll have it

Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.

What helps

  • Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
  • On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
  • Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in St. James Parish?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $868; 1 bedroom: $891; 2 bedrooms: $1,165; 3 bedrooms: $1,613; 4 bedrooms: $1,753. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in St. James Parish?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,165) without spending more than 30% of income takes $22.40 an hour full time, or $46,600 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in St. James Parish?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $47,000 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.

How much does Section 8 pay in St. James Parish?

The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,049 and $1,282 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in St. James Parish?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 70086 to $1,530 in 70071. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.

How many low-income apartments are there in St. James Parish?

HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in St. James Parish: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.