Idaho · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Clearwater County, ID

The median household in Clearwater County, ID earns $60,000 a year ($5,000/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,077/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $43,080 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$60,000$5,000 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,077HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)95.5-4.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential ID
Census Population9,012Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Clearwater County, ID

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,077Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$43,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,500At 30% of $60,000
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Clearwater County, ID

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Clearwater County, ID. 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 Clearwater County, ID
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$815$9,780$32,60016.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$821$9,852$32,84016.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,077$12,924$43,08021.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,498$17,976$59,92030%
4-Bedroom Home$1,807$21,684$72,28036.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Clearwater County, ID →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Clearwater County, ID

Based on the local median household income of $60,000/year ($5,000/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,500/moRent ($1,077 2-BR), utilities (~$129/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,500/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 95.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,000/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Idaho

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

$60,000
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$60,000
Net 80%
Fed 8%
ID 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$48,300After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,025Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,858Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,020 / yr
Idaho state income tax$2,090 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,590 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Clearwater County, ID

What is the median household income in Clearwater County, ID?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Clearwater County, ID is $60,000 per year (approximately $5,000 per month).

What is the average rent in Clearwater County, ID?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Clearwater County, ID are $815 for a studio, $821 for 1 bedroom, $1,077 for 2 bedrooms, $1,498 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,807 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Clearwater County, ID compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Clearwater County, ID is 95.5 (4.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Clearwater County, ID?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,077/month) in Clearwater County, ID requires a minimum gross household income of $43,080 per year ($3,590 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Clearwater County, ID?

For a typical household earning the median income of $60,000/year ($5,000/month) in Clearwater County, ID, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,500/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,500/month to discretionary spending, and $1,000/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Clearwater County, ID?

Residential electricity rates in Idaho average 14.4¢ 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 $129 per month.