Ohio · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Defiance County, OH

The median household in Defiance County, OH earns $73,064 a year ($6,089/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $980/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $39,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,064$6,089 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$980HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.8-7.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential OH
Census Population38,343Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Defiance County, OH

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$980Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,827At 30% of $73,064
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Defiance County, OH

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Defiance County, OH. 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 Defiance County, OH
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$754$9,048$30,16012.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$799$9,588$31,96013.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$980$11,760$39,20016.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,239$14,868$49,56020.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,408$16,896$56,32023.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Defiance County, OH →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Defiance County, OH

Based on the local median household income of $73,064/year ($6,089/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,044/moRent ($980 2-BR), utilities (~$173/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,827/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,218/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Ohio

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

$73,064
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,064
Net 80%
Fed 10%
OH 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,665After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,889Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,256Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,244 / yr
Ohio state income tax$1,566 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,589 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Defiance County, OH

What is the median household income in Defiance County, OH?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Defiance County, OH is $73,064 per year (approximately $6,089 per month).

What is the average rent in Defiance County, OH?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Defiance County, OH are $754 for a studio, $799 for 1 bedroom, $980 for 2 bedrooms, $1,239 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,408 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Defiance County, OH compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Defiance County, OH is 92.8 (7.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Defiance County, OH?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($980/month) in Defiance County, OH requires a minimum gross household income of $39,200 per year ($3,267 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Defiance County, OH?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,064/year ($6,089/month) in Defiance County, OH, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,044/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,827/month to discretionary spending, and $1,218/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Defiance County, OH?

Residential electricity rates in Ohio average 19.2¢ 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 $173 per month.