Wisconsin · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Fond du Lac County, WI

The median household in Fond du Lac County, WI earns $74,275 a year ($6,190/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,176/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $47,040 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$74,275$6,190 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,176HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.6-8.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential WI
Census Population104,137Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Fond du Lac County, WI

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,176Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$47,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,857At 30% of $74,275
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Fond du Lac County, WI

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Fond du Lac, WI MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Fond du Lac County, WI
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$811$9,732$32,44013.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$946$11,352$37,84015.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,176$14,112$47,04019%
3-Bedroom Home$1,522$18,264$60,88024.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,665$19,980$66,60026.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Fond du Lac County, WI →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Fond du Lac County, WI

Based on the local median household income of $74,275/year ($6,190/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,095/moRent ($1,176 2-BR), utilities (~$176/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,857/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,238/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$74,275
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$74,275
Net 78%
Fed 10%
WI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,182After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,849Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,238Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,511 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$2,900 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,682 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Wisconsin with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fond du Lac County, WI

What is the median household income in Fond du Lac County, WI?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Fond du Lac County, WI is $74,275 per year (approximately $6,190 per month).

What is the average rent in Fond du Lac County, WI?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Fond du Lac County, WI are $811 for a studio, $946 for 1 bedroom, $1,176 for 2 bedrooms, $1,522 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,665 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Fond du Lac County, WI compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Fond du Lac County, WI is 91.6 (8.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Fond du Lac County, WI?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,176/month) in Fond du Lac County, WI requires a minimum gross household income of $47,040 per year ($3,920 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Fond du Lac County, WI?

For a typical household earning the median income of $74,275/year ($6,190/month) in Fond du Lac County, WI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,095/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,857/month to discretionary spending, and $1,238/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Fond du Lac County, 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.