Oregon · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Benton County, OR

The median household in Benton County, OR earns $77,702 a year ($6,475/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,824/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $72,960 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$77,702$6,475 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,824HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)104.0+4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential OR
Census Population96,303Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Benton County, OR

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,824Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$72,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,943At 30% of $77,702
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Benton County, OR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Corvallis, OR MSA. 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 Benton County, OR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,350$16,200$54,00020.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,451$17,412$58,04022.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,824$21,888$72,96028.2%
3-Bedroom Home$2,537$30,444$101,48039.2%
4-Bedroom Home$2,862$34,344$114,48044.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Benton County, OR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Benton County, OR

Based on the local median household income of $77,702/year ($6,475/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,238/moRent ($1,824 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,943/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 104.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,295/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Oregon

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

$77,702
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$77,702
Net 75%
Fed 11%
OR 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,232After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,853Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,240Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,264 / yr
Oregon state income tax$5,262 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,944 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Benton County, OR

What is the median household income in Benton County, OR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Benton County, OR is $77,702 per year (approximately $6,475 per month).

What is the average rent in Benton County, OR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Benton County, OR are $1,350 for a studio, $1,451 for 1 bedroom, $1,824 for 2 bedrooms, $2,537 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,862 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Benton County, OR compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Benton County, OR is 104.0 (4% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Benton County, OR?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,824/month) in Benton County, OR requires a minimum gross household income of $72,960 per year ($6,080 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Benton County, OR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $77,702/year ($6,475/month) in Benton County, OR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,238/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,943/month to discretionary spending, and $1,295/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Benton County, OR?

Residential electricity rates in Oregon average 16.3¢ 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.