Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$61,949$5,162 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Alachua County, FL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Alachua County, FL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Gainesville, FL HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,154 | $13,848 | $46,160 | 22.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,246 | $14,952 | $49,840 | 24.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,493 | $17,916 | $59,720 | 28.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,868 | $22,416 | $74,720 | 36.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,977 | $23,724 | $79,080 | 38.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Alachua County, FL
Based on the local median household income of $61,949/year ($5,162/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Florida
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Florida state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Florida with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Alachua County, FL
What is the median household income in Alachua County, FL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Alachua County, FL is $61,949 per year (approximately $5,162 per month).
What is the average rent in Alachua County, FL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Alachua County, FL are $1,154 for a studio, $1,246 for 1 bedroom, $1,493 for 2 bedrooms, $1,868 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,977 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Alachua County, FL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Alachua County, FL is 96.7 (3.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Alachua County, FL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,493/month) in Alachua County, FL requires a minimum gross household income of $59,720 per year ($4,977 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Alachua County, FL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $61,949/year ($5,162/month) in Alachua County, FL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,581/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,549/month to discretionary spending, and $1,032/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Alachua County, FL?
Residential electricity rates in Florida average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.