Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$63,730$5,311 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Emmet County, IA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Emmet County, IA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Emmet County, IA. 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 | $682 | $8,184 | $27,280 | 12.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $771 | $9,252 | $30,840 | 14.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $919 | $11,028 | $36,760 | 17.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,222 | $14,664 | $48,880 | 23% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,227 | $14,724 | $49,080 | 23.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Emmet County, IA
Based on the local median household income of $63,730/year ($5,311/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Iowa state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Iowa with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Emmet County, IA
What is the median household income in Emmet County, IA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Emmet County, IA is $63,730 per year (approximately $5,311 per month).
What is the average rent in Emmet County, IA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Emmet County, IA are $682 for a studio, $771 for 1 bedroom, $919 for 2 bedrooms, $1,222 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,227 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Emmet County, IA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Emmet County, IA is 87.8 (12.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Emmet County, IA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($919/month) in Emmet County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,760 per year ($3,063 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Emmet County, IA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $63,730/year ($5,311/month) in Emmet County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,655/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,593/month to discretionary spending, and $1,062/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Emmet County, IA?
Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ 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 $143 per month.