Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,167$4,514 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Carter County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Carter County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Carter County, MT. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $932 | $11,184 | $37,280 | 20.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,002 | $12,024 | $40,080 | 22.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,244 | $14,928 | $49,760 | 27.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,492 | $17,904 | $59,680 | 33.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,011 | $24,132 | $80,440 | 44.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Carter County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $54,167/year ($4,514/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Montana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Montana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Carter County, MT
What is the median household income in Carter County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carter County, MT is $54,167 per year (approximately $4,514 per month).
What is the average rent in Carter County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Carter County, MT are $932 for a studio, $1,002 for 1 bedroom, $1,244 for 2 bedrooms, $1,492 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,011 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Carter County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Carter County, MT is 94.6 (5.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Carter County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,244/month) in Carter County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $49,760 per year ($4,147 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Carter County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,167/year ($4,514/month) in Carter County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,257/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,354/month to discretionary spending, and $903/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Carter County, MT?
Residential electricity rates in Montana average 15.1¢ 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 $136 per month.