Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$56,280$4,690 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Dawes County, NE
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Dawes County, NE
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Dawes County, NE. 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 | $715 | $8,580 | $28,600 | 15.2% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $786 | $9,432 | $31,440 | 16.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,031 | $12,372 | $41,240 | 22% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,372 | $16,464 | $54,880 | 29.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,378 | $16,536 | $55,120 | 29.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Dawes County, NE
Based on the local median household income of $56,280/year ($4,690/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Nebraska
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Nebraska state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Nebraska with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Dawes County, NE
What is the median household income in Dawes County, NE?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dawes County, NE is $56,280 per year (approximately $4,690 per month).
What is the average rent in Dawes County, NE?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Dawes County, NE are $715 for a studio, $786 for 1 bedroom, $1,031 for 2 bedrooms, $1,372 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,378 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Dawes County, NE compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Dawes County, NE is 90.1 (9.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Dawes County, NE?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,031/month) in Dawes County, NE requires a minimum gross household income of $41,240 per year ($3,437 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Dawes County, NE?
For a typical household earning the median income of $56,280/year ($4,690/month) in Dawes County, NE, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,345/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,407/month to discretionary spending, and $938/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Dawes County, NE?
Residential electricity rates in Nebraska average 13.3¢ 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 $119 per month.