Georgia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Burke County, GA

The median household in Burke County, GA earns $53,014 a year ($4,418/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,261/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $50,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$53,014$4,418 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,261HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.9-8.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential GA
Census Population24,470Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Burke County, GA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,261Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,325At 30% of $53,014
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Burke County, GA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC 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 Burke County, GA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$939$11,268$37,56021.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,114$13,368$44,56025.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,261$15,132$50,44028.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,627$19,524$65,08036.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,984$23,808$79,36044.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Burke County, GA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Burke County, GA

Based on the local median household income of $53,014/year ($4,418/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,209/moRent ($1,261 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,325/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$884/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$53,014
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,014
Net 81%
Fed 8%
GA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,880After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,573Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,649Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,182 / yr
Georgia state income tax$1,897 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,056 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Burke County, GA

What is the median household income in Burke County, GA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Burke County, GA is $53,014 per year (approximately $4,418 per month).

What is the average rent in Burke County, GA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Burke County, GA are $939 for a studio, $1,114 for 1 bedroom, $1,261 for 2 bedrooms, $1,627 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,984 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Burke County, GA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Burke County, GA is 91.9 (8.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Burke County, GA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,261/month) in Burke County, GA requires a minimum gross household income of $50,440 per year ($4,203 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Burke County, GA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $53,014/year ($4,418/month) in Burke County, GA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,209/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,325/month to discretionary spending, and $884/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Burke 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.