Ohio · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Brown County, OH

The median household in Brown County, OH earns $71,270 a year ($5,939/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,008/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$71,270$5,939 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,008HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)95.4-4.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential OH
Census Population43,845Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Brown County, OH

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,008Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,782At 30% of $71,270
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Brown County, OH

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Brown County, OH 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.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Brown County, OH
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$797$9,564$31,88013.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$802$9,624$32,08013.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,008$12,096$40,32017%
3-Bedroom Home$1,361$16,332$54,44022.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,691$20,292$67,64028.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Brown County, OH →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Brown County, OH

Based on the local median household income of $71,270/year ($5,939/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,970/moRent ($1,008 2-BR), utilities (~$173/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,782/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 95.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,188/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Ohio

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

$71,270
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$71,270
Net 81%
Fed 10%
OH 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,452After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,788Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,210Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,849 / yr
Ohio state income tax$1,516 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,452 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Brown County, OH

What is the median household income in Brown County, OH?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Brown County, OH is $71,270 per year (approximately $5,939 per month).

What is the average rent in Brown County, OH?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Brown County, OH are $797 for a studio, $802 for 1 bedroom, $1,008 for 2 bedrooms, $1,361 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,691 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Brown County, OH compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Brown County, OH is 95.4 (4.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Brown County, OH?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,008/month) in Brown County, OH requires a minimum gross household income of $40,320 per year ($3,360 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Brown County, OH?

For a typical household earning the median income of $71,270/year ($5,939/month) in Brown County, OH, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,970/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,782/month to discretionary spending, and $1,188/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Brown County, OH?

Residential electricity rates in Ohio average 19.2¢ 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 $173 per month.