Cost of Living in St. Mary Parish, LA

How far does a $70,000 salary go in St. Mary Parish? Estimated income taxes on that gross salary total approximately $9,635 per year — combining federal taxes with Louisiana's state income tax. Subtract rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($947/month based on HUD Fair Market Rents for the St. Mary Parish metro area) and the estimated annual take-home is $49,001, or roughly $4,083 per month for everything else: food, transportation, savings, and discretionary spending.

At a $70,000 salary, the estimated 2-bedroom rent in St. Mary Parish represents approximately 16% of gross income. That is well within the 30% rule of thumb that financial advisors typically recommend, leaving significant room for savings and discretionary spending.