Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$71,334$5,945 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Dawson County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Dawson County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Dawson 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 | $940 | $11,280 | $37,600 | 15.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $956 | $11,472 | $38,240 | 16.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,254 | $15,048 | $50,160 | 21.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,504 | $18,048 | $60,160 | 25.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,942 | $23,304 | $77,680 | 32.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Dawson County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $71,334/year ($5,945/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 Dawson County, MT
What is the median household income in Dawson County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dawson County, MT is $71,334 per year (approximately $5,945 per month).
What is the average rent in Dawson County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Dawson County, MT are $940 for a studio, $956 for 1 bedroom, $1,254 for 2 bedrooms, $1,504 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,942 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Dawson County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Dawson 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 Dawson County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,254/month) in Dawson County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $50,160 per year ($4,180 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Dawson County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $71,334/year ($5,945/month) in Dawson County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,972/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,783/month to discretionary spending, and $1,189/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Dawson 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.