Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$70,605$5,884 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Custer County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Custer County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Custer County, MT. 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 | $1,109 | $13,308 | $44,360 | 18.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,226 | $14,712 | $49,040 | 20.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,608 | $19,296 | $64,320 | 27.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,154 | $25,848 | $86,160 | 36.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,322 | $27,864 | $92,880 | 39.5% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Custer County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $70,605/year ($5,884/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Montana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Montana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Custer County, MT
What is the median household income in Custer County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Custer County, MT is $70,605 per year (approximately $5,884 per month).
What is the average rent in Custer County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Custer County, MT are $1,109 for a studio, $1,226 for 1 bedroom, $1,608 for 2 bedrooms, $2,154 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,322 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Custer County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Custer County, MT is 94.6 (5.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Custer County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,608/month) in Custer County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $64,320 per year ($5,360 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Custer County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $70,605/year ($5,884/month) in Custer County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,942/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,765/month to discretionary spending, and $1,177/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Custer County, MT?
Residential electricity rates in Montana 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.