Georgia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Chattooga County, GA

The median household in Chattooga County, GA earns $50,285 a year ($4,190/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $973/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$50,285$4,190 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)96.3-3.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential GA
Census Population25,036Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,257At 30% of $50,285
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Chattooga County, GA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Chattooga County, GA. 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 Chattooga County, GA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$789$9,468$31,56018.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$794$9,528$31,76018.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92023.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,353$16,236$54,12032.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,632$19,584$65,28038.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Chattooga County, GA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $50,285/year ($4,190/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,095/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,257/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 96.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$838/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.

$50,285
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,285
Net 81%
Fed 8%
GA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,823After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,402Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,570Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,854 / yr
Georgia state income tax$1,761 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,847 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Chattooga County, GA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Chattooga County, GA is $50,285 per year (approximately $4,190 per month).

What is the average rent in Chattooga County, GA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Chattooga County, GA are $789 for a studio, $794 for 1 bedroom, $973 for 2 bedrooms, $1,353 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,632 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Chattooga County, GA is 96.3 (3.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($973/month) in Chattooga County, GA requires a minimum gross household income of $38,920 per year ($3,243 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $50,285/year ($4,190/month) in Chattooga County, GA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,095/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,257/month to discretionary spending, and $838/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Chattooga 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.