Income needed to buy a home
St. James Parish, LA
$68,025
a year in household income to buy the typical St. James Parish home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$211,641
Down payment (10%)$21,164
Loan$190,477
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,319/mo
Property tax (0.47% a year)$83/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$106/mo
Mortgage insurance$79/mo
Total monthly cost$1,587/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Right at the edge
The typical household here earns $65,531 a year, 96% of what it takes.
In Louisiana
St. James Parish ranks #48 of 64 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Louisiana
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| East Carroll Parish | $67,274 | $21,260 |
| Madison Parish | $84,105 | $26,555 |
| Claiborne Parish | $96,921 | $30,411 |
| Morehouse Parish | $101,156 | $32,578 |
| Bienville Parish | $107,459 | $33,660 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.