Wyoming · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Carbon County, WY

The median household in Carbon County, WY earns $70,511 a year ($5,876/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $980/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $39,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$70,511$5,876 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$980HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.7-7.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential WY
Census Population14,463Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Carbon County, WY

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$980Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,763At 30% of $70,511
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Carbon County, WY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Carbon County, WY. 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 Carbon County, WY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$775$9,300$31,00013.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$854$10,248$34,16014.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$980$11,760$39,20016.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,293$15,516$51,72022%
4-Bedroom Home$1,454$17,448$58,16024.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Carbon County, WY →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Carbon County, WY

Based on the local median household income of $70,511/year ($5,876/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,938/moRent ($980 2-BR), utilities (~$137/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,763/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,175/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Wyoming

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

$70,511
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,511
Net 83%
Fed 9%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,434After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,870Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,247Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,682 / yr
Wyoming state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,394 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Carbon County, WY

What is the median household income in Carbon County, WY?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carbon County, WY is $70,511 per year (approximately $5,876 per month).

What is the average rent in Carbon County, WY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Carbon County, WY are $775 for a studio, $854 for 1 bedroom, $980 for 2 bedrooms, $1,293 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,454 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Carbon County, WY compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Carbon County, WY is 92.7 (7.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Carbon County, WY?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($980/month) in Carbon County, WY requires a minimum gross household income of $39,200 per year ($3,267 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Carbon County, WY?

For a typical household earning the median income of $70,511/year ($5,876/month) in Carbon County, WY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,938/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,763/month to discretionary spending, and $1,175/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Carbon County, WY?

Residential electricity rates in Wyoming average 15.2¢ 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 $137 per month.