Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Cherokee County, TX

The median household in Cherokee County, TX earns $61,261 a year ($5,105/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $984/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $39,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$61,261$5,105 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$984HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.1-2.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population51,886Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Cherokee County, TX

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$984Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,532At 30% of $61,261
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cherokee County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Cherokee County, TX. 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 Cherokee County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$751$9,012$30,04014.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$756$9,072$30,24014.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$984$11,808$39,36019.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,362$16,344$54,48026.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,448$17,376$57,92028.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Cherokee County, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Cherokee County, TX

Based on the local median household income of $61,261/year ($5,105/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,553/moRent ($984 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,532/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,021/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Texas

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

$61,261
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,261
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,403After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,284Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,977Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,171 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,686 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Cherokee County, TX

What is the median household income in Cherokee County, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cherokee County, TX is $61,261 per year (approximately $5,105 per month).

What is the average rent in Cherokee County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cherokee County, TX are $751 for a studio, $756 for 1 bedroom, $984 for 2 bedrooms, $1,362 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,448 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Cherokee County, TX compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cherokee County, TX is 97.1 (2.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Cherokee County, TX?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($984/month) in Cherokee County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $39,360 per year ($3,280 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Cherokee County, TX?

For a typical household earning the median income of $61,261/year ($5,105/month) in Cherokee County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,553/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,532/month to discretionary spending, and $1,021/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cherokee County, TX?

Residential electricity rates in Texas 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.