Indiana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Franklin County, IN

The median household in Franklin County, IN earns $78,074 a year ($6,506/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,117/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $44,680 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$78,074$6,506 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,117HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)95.4-4.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential IN
Census Population23,020Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Franklin County, IN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,117Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$44,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,952At 30% of $78,074
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Franklin County, IN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Franklin County, IN HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Franklin County, IN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$796$9,552$31,84012.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$861$10,332$34,44013.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,117$13,404$44,68017.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,473$17,676$58,92022.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,479$17,748$59,16022.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Franklin County, IN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Franklin County, IN

Based on the local median household income of $78,074/year ($6,506/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,253/moRent ($1,117 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,952/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 95.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,301/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$78,074
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$78,074
Net 79%
Fed 11%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$61,481After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,123Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,365Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,346 / yr
Indiana state income tax$2,274 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,973 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Franklin County, IN

What is the median household income in Franklin County, IN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Franklin County, IN is $78,074 per year (approximately $6,506 per month).

What is the average rent in Franklin County, IN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Franklin County, IN are $796 for a studio, $861 for 1 bedroom, $1,117 for 2 bedrooms, $1,473 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,479 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Franklin County, IN compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Franklin County, IN is 95.4 (4.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Franklin County, IN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,117/month) in Franklin County, IN requires a minimum gross household income of $44,680 per year ($3,723 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Franklin County, IN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $78,074/year ($6,506/month) in Franklin County, IN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,253/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,952/month to discretionary spending, and $1,301/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Franklin 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.