Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$76,531$6,378 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Cowlitz County, WA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cowlitz County, WA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Longview-Kelso, WA MSA. 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 | $1,000 | $12,000 | $40,000 | 15.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,199 | $14,388 | $47,960 | 18.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,451 | $17,412 | $58,040 | 22.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,018 | $24,216 | $80,720 | 31.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,434 | $29,208 | $97,360 | 38.2% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Cowlitz County, WA
Based on the local median household income of $76,531/year ($6,378/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Washington
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Washington state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Washington with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Cowlitz County, WA
What is the median household income in Cowlitz County, WA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cowlitz County, WA is $76,531 per year (approximately $6,378 per month).
What is the average rent in Cowlitz County, WA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cowlitz County, WA are $1,000 for a studio, $1,199 for 1 bedroom, $1,451 for 2 bedrooms, $2,018 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,434 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Cowlitz County, WA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cowlitz County, WA is 97.5 (2.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Cowlitz County, WA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,451/month) in Cowlitz County, WA requires a minimum gross household income of $58,040 per year ($4,837 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Cowlitz County, WA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $76,531/year ($6,378/month) in Cowlitz County, WA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,189/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,913/month to discretionary spending, and $1,276/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cowlitz County, WA?
Residential electricity rates in Washington average 14.9¢ 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 $134 per month.