Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$68,561$5,713 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Elkhart County, IN
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Elkhart County, IN
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Elkhart-Goshen, IN 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 | $968 | $11,616 | $38,720 | 16.9% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $992 | $11,904 | $39,680 | 17.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,183 | $14,196 | $47,320 | 20.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,553 | $18,636 | $62,120 | 27.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,581 | $18,972 | $63,240 | 27.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Elkhart County, IN
Based on the local median household income of $68,561/year ($5,713/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Indiana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Indiana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Indiana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Elkhart County, IN
What is the median household income in Elkhart County, IN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Elkhart County, IN is $68,561 per year (approximately $5,713 per month).
What is the average rent in Elkhart County, IN?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Elkhart County, IN are $968 for a studio, $992 for 1 bedroom, $1,183 for 2 bedrooms, $1,553 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,581 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Elkhart County, IN compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Elkhart County, IN is 90.3 (9.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Elkhart County, IN?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,183/month) in Elkhart County, IN requires a minimum gross household income of $47,320 per year ($3,943 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Elkhart County, IN?
For a typical household earning the median income of $68,561/year ($5,713/month) in Elkhart County, IN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,857/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,714/month to discretionary spending, and $1,143/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Elkhart County, IN?
Residential electricity rates in Indiana average 17.5¢ 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 $158 per month.