Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,974$4,415 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Athens-Clarke County, GA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA. 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 | $1,159 | $13,908 | $46,360 | 26.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,183 | $14,196 | $47,320 | 26.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,331 | $15,972 | $53,240 | 30.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,734 | $20,808 | $69,360 | 39.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,831 | $21,972 | $73,240 | 41.5% |
See dedicated rental breakdown for Athens-Clarke County, GA →
50/30/20 Living Budget in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Based on the local median household income of $52,974/year ($4,415/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Georgia
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Georgia state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Georgia with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Athens-Clarke County, GA
What is the median household income in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $52,974 per year (approximately $4,415 per month).
What is the average rent in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Athens-Clarke County, GA are $1,159 for a studio, $1,183 for 1 bedroom, $1,331 for 2 bedrooms, $1,734 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,831 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Athens-Clarke County, GA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Athens-Clarke County, GA is 93.3 (6.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,331/month) in Athens-Clarke County, GA requires a minimum gross household income of $53,240 per year ($4,437 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,974/year ($4,415/month) in Athens-Clarke County, GA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,207/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,324/month to discretionary spending, and $883/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Residential electricity rates in Georgia average 16.4¢ 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 $147 per month.