Washington · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Franklin County, WA

The median household in Franklin County, WA earns $86,714 a year ($7,226/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,538/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $61,520 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$86,714$7,226 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,538HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)100.1+0.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential WA
Census Population98,902Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,538Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$61,520To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,168At 30% of $86,714
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Franklin County, WA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kennewick-Richland, WA 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 Franklin County, WA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,122$13,464$44,88015.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,268$15,216$50,72017.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,538$18,456$61,52021.3%
3-Bedroom Home$2,071$24,852$82,84028.7%
4-Bedroom Home$2,385$28,620$95,40033%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Franklin County, WA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $86,714/year ($7,226/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,613/moRent ($1,538 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,168/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 100.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,445/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Washington

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Washington state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$86,714
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$86,714
Net 81%
Fed 12%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$69,833After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,819Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,686Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,247 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,634 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Franklin County, WA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Franklin County, WA is $86,714 per year (approximately $7,226 per month).

What is the average rent in Franklin County, WA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Franklin County, WA are $1,122 for a studio, $1,268 for 1 bedroom, $1,538 for 2 bedrooms, $2,071 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,385 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Franklin County, WA is 100.1 (0.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,538/month) in Franklin County, WA requires a minimum gross household income of $61,520 per year ($5,127 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $86,714/year ($7,226/month) in Franklin County, WA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,613/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,168/month to discretionary spending, and $1,445/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Franklin County, WA?

Residential electricity rates in Washington average 14.9¢ 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 $134 per month.