Iowa · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Calhoun County, IA

The median household in Calhoun County, IA earns $64,964 a year ($5,414/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $919/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $36,760 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 12.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$64,964$5,414 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$919HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.8-12.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IA
Census Population9,803Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Calhoun County, IA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$919Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,624At 30% of $64,964
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Calhoun County, IA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Calhoun County, IA. 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 Calhoun County, IA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$682$8,184$27,28012.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$736$8,832$29,44013.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$919$11,028$36,76017%
3-Bedroom Home$1,162$13,944$46,48021.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,217$14,604$48,68022.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Calhoun County, IA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Calhoun County, IA

Based on the local median household income of $64,964/year ($5,414/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,707/moRent ($919 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,624/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,083/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa

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

$64,964
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,964
Net 81%
Fed 9%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,562After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,380Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,022Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,616 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,817 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,970 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Calhoun County, IA

What is the median household income in Calhoun County, IA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Calhoun County, IA is $64,964 per year (approximately $5,414 per month).

What is the average rent in Calhoun County, IA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Calhoun County, IA are $682 for a studio, $736 for 1 bedroom, $919 for 2 bedrooms, $1,162 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,217 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Calhoun County, IA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Calhoun County, IA is 87.8 (12.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Calhoun County, IA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($919/month) in Calhoun County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,760 per year ($3,063 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Calhoun County, IA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $64,964/year ($5,414/month) in Calhoun County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,707/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,624/month to discretionary spending, and $1,083/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Calhoun County, IA?

Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ 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 $143 per month.