Florida · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Clay County, FL

The median household in Clay County, FL earns $87,820 a year ($7,318/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,658/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $66,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$87,820$7,318 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,658HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)99.5-0.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential FL
Census Population227,584Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Clay County, FL

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,658Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$66,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,196At 30% of $87,820
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Clay County, FL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Jacksonville, FL HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Clay County, FL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,355$16,260$54,20018.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,382$16,584$55,28018.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,658$19,896$66,32022.7%
3-Bedroom Home$2,043$24,516$81,72027.9%
4-Bedroom Home$2,561$30,732$102,44035%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Clay County, FL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Clay County, FL

Based on the local median household income of $87,820/year ($7,318/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,659/moRent ($1,658 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,196/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 99.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,464/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Florida

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

$87,820
$35,000$180,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$87,820
Net 80%
Fed 12%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$70,611After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,884Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,716Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,490 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,718 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Clay County, FL

What is the median household income in Clay County, FL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Clay County, FL is $87,820 per year (approximately $7,318 per month).

What is the average rent in Clay County, FL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Clay County, FL are $1,355 for a studio, $1,382 for 1 bedroom, $1,658 for 2 bedrooms, $2,043 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,561 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Clay County, FL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Clay County, FL is 99.5 (0.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Clay County, FL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,658/month) in Clay County, FL requires a minimum gross household income of $66,320 per year ($5,527 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Clay County, FL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $87,820/year ($7,318/month) in Clay County, FL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,659/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,196/month to discretionary spending, and $1,464/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Clay County, FL?

Residential electricity rates in Florida 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.