Cost of Living in Tensas Parish, Louisiana
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Tensas Parish Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Tensas Parish, Louisiana
Tensas struggles with income-housing mismatch
At 20.4%, Tensas Parish carries Louisiana's highest rent-to-income burden despite the lowest rents in the state at $613 monthly. The core problem: a median household income of just $36,074—$38,681 below the national median—means even cheap housing consumes a larger share of limited earnings.
Louisiana's deepest poverty-housing strain
Tensas Parish bottoms Louisiana's affordability rankings with the state's lowest median household income of $36,074 paired with the highest rent-to-income ratio at 20.4%. This parish faces the most acute housing stress of any Louisiana county.
Cheapest housing but lowest income
Tensas rents of $613 undercut all neighbors—St. Landry ($742), Union ($758)—and homes cost just $80,300. Yet incomes here run $9,563 below St. Landry and $9,669 below Union, making even rock-bottom housing relatively burdensome.
Low rent can't offset low wages
Renters pay $613 monthly while homeowners carry $546, but with a median income of only $36,074, housing still consumes 20.4% of household budgets. This tight squeeze leaves minimal cushion for emergencies or basic needs.
Tensas for remote workers seeking low cost
Remote workers earning non-local incomes could unlock Tensas's lowest-price housing at $80,300 median home value, but traditional job-seekers face severe income constraints here. Evaluate career opportunities carefully before relocating to this economically challenged parish.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Tensas Parish
Rent Burden
20.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$842
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Tensas Parish
Median home value is $80,300. Estimated monthly cost: $641 vs. your max of $842.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.