Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$67,395$5,616 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Eau Claire, WI
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Eau Claire, WI
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Eau Claire, WI MSA. 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 | $932 | $11,184 | $37,280 | 16.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $962 | $11,544 | $38,480 | 17.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,181 | $14,172 | $47,240 | 21% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,582 | $18,984 | $63,280 | 28.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,588 | $19,056 | $63,520 | 28.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Eau Claire, WI
Based on the local median household income of $67,395/year ($5,616/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Wisconsin
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Wisconsin state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Wisconsin with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Eau Claire, WI
What is the median household income in Eau Claire, WI?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Eau Claire, WI is $67,395 per year (approximately $5,616 per month).
What is the average rent in Eau Claire, WI?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Eau Claire, WI are $932 for a studio, $962 for 1 bedroom, $1,181 for 2 bedrooms, $1,582 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,588 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Eau Claire, WI compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Eau Claire, WI 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 Eau Claire, WI?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,181/month) in Eau Claire, WI requires a minimum gross household income of $47,240 per year ($3,937 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Eau Claire, WI?
For a typical household earning the median income of $67,395/year ($5,616/month) in Eau Claire, WI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,808/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,685/month to discretionary spending, and $1,123/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Eau Claire, WI?
Residential electricity rates in Wisconsin average 19.6¢ 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 $176 per month.