Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$70,724$5,894 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in DeKalb County, IL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: DeKalb County, IL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for DeKalb County, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 | $947 | $11,364 | $37,880 | 16.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,046 | $12,552 | $41,840 | 17.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,373 | $16,476 | $54,920 | 23.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,825 | $21,900 | $73,000 | 31% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,203 | $26,436 | $88,120 | 37.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in DeKalb County, IL
Based on the local median household income of $70,724/year ($5,894/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Illinois
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Illinois state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Illinois with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in DeKalb County, IL
What is the median household income in DeKalb County, IL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in DeKalb County, IL is $70,724 per year (approximately $5,894 per month).
What is the average rent in DeKalb County, IL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in DeKalb County, IL are $947 for a studio, $1,046 for 1 bedroom, $1,373 for 2 bedrooms, $1,825 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,203 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in DeKalb County, IL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in DeKalb County, IL is 103.6 (3.6% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in DeKalb County, IL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,373/month) in DeKalb County, IL requires a minimum gross household income of $54,920 per year ($4,577 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in DeKalb County, IL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $70,724/year ($5,894/month) in DeKalb County, IL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,947/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,768/month to discretionary spending, and $1,179/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in DeKalb County, IL?
Residential electricity rates in Illinois average 19.9¢ 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 $179 per month.