Colorado · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Custer County, CO

The median household in Custer County, CO earns $72,674 a year ($6,056/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,112/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $44,480 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$72,674$6,056 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,112HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)103.1+3.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential CO
Census Population5,247Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Custer County, CO

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,112Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$44,480To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,817At 30% of $72,674
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Custer County, CO

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Custer County, CO. 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 Custer County, CO
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$853$10,236$34,12014.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$856$10,272$34,24014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,112$13,344$44,48018.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,333$15,996$53,32022%
4-Bedroom Home$1,743$20,916$69,72028.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Custer County, CO →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Custer County, CO

Based on the local median household income of $72,674/year ($6,056/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,028/moRent ($1,112 2-BR), utilities (~$154/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,817/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 103.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,211/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Colorado

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

$72,674
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$72,674
Net 79%
Fed 10%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,467After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,789Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,210Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,158 / yr
Colorado state income tax$2,489 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,560 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Custer County, CO

What is the median household income in Custer County, CO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Custer County, CO is $72,674 per year (approximately $6,056 per month).

What is the average rent in Custer County, CO?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Custer County, CO are $853 for a studio, $856 for 1 bedroom, $1,112 for 2 bedrooms, $1,333 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,743 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Custer County, CO compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Custer County, CO is 103.1 (3.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Custer County, CO?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,112/month) in Custer County, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $44,480 per year ($3,707 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Custer County, CO?

For a typical household earning the median income of $72,674/year ($6,056/month) in Custer County, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,028/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,817/month to discretionary spending, and $1,211/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Custer County, CO?

Residential electricity rates in Colorado average 17.1¢ 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 $154 per month.