Kansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Barber County, KS

The median household in Barber County, KS earns $61,926 a year ($5,161/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $877/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $35,080 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$61,926$5,161 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$877HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.1-9.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential KS
Census Population4,069Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Barber County, KS

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$877Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,548At 30% of $61,926
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Barber County, KS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Barber County, KS. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Barber County, KS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$643$7,716$25,72012.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$730$8,760$29,20014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$877$10,524$35,08017%
3-Bedroom Home$1,103$13,236$44,12021.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,471$17,652$58,84028.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Barber County, KS →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Barber County, KS

Based on the local median household income of $61,926/year ($5,161/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,580/moRent ($877 2-BR), utilities (~$141/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,548/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,032/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kansas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Kansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$61,926
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,926
Net 80%
Fed 8%
KS 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,282After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,107Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,895Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,251 / yr
Kansas state income tax$2,656 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,737 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Kansas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Barber County, KS

What is the median household income in Barber County, KS?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Barber County, KS is $61,926 per year (approximately $5,161 per month).

What is the average rent in Barber County, KS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Barber County, KS are $643 for a studio, $730 for 1 bedroom, $877 for 2 bedrooms, $1,103 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,471 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Barber County, KS compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Barber County, KS is 90.1 (9.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Barber County, KS?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($877/month) in Barber County, KS requires a minimum gross household income of $35,080 per year ($2,923 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Barber County, KS?

For a typical household earning the median income of $61,926/year ($5,161/month) in Barber County, KS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,580/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,548/month to discretionary spending, and $1,032/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Barber County, KS?

Residential electricity rates in Kansas average 15.7¢ 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 $141 per month.