Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$64,609$5,384 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Elk County, KS
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Elk County, KS
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Elk County, KS. 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 | $643 | $7,716 | $25,720 | 11.9% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $668 | $8,016 | $26,720 | 12.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $877 | $10,524 | $35,080 | 16.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,132 | $13,584 | $45,280 | 21% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,276 | $15,312 | $51,040 | 23.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Elk County, KS
Based on the local median household income of $64,609/year ($5,384/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kansas
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Kansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Kansas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Elk County, KS
What is the median household income in Elk County, KS?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Elk County, KS is $64,609 per year (approximately $5,384 per month).
What is the average rent in Elk County, KS?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Elk County, KS are $643 for a studio, $668 for 1 bedroom, $877 for 2 bedrooms, $1,132 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,276 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Elk County, KS compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Elk County, KS 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 Elk County, KS?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($877/month) in Elk County, KS requires a minimum gross household income of $35,080 per year ($2,923 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Elk County, KS?
For a typical household earning the median income of $64,609/year ($5,384/month) in Elk County, KS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,692/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,615/month to discretionary spending, and $1,077/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Elk County, KS?
Residential electricity rates in Kansas average 15.7¢ 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 $141 per month.