Kansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Gray County, KS

The median household in Gray County, KS earns $79,122 a year ($6,594/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $877/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $35,080 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$79,122$6,594 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$877HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.1-9.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential KS
Census Population5,701Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Gray County, KS

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$877Monthly market rent
Share of gross income13.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,978At 30% of $79,122
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Gray County, KS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Gray County, KS. 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 Gray County, KS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$643$7,716$25,7209.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$800$9,600$32,00012.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$877$10,524$35,08013.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,090$13,080$43,60016.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,161$13,932$46,44017.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Gray County, KS →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Gray County, KS

Based on the local median household income of $79,122/year ($6,594/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,297/moRent ($877 2-BR), utilities (~$141/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,978/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,319/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kansas

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

$79,122
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$79,122
Net 77%
Fed 11%
KS 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,877After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,073Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,341Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,577 / yr
Kansas state income tax$3,615 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,053 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Gray County, KS

What is the median household income in Gray County, KS?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Gray County, KS is $79,122 per year (approximately $6,594 per month).

What is the average rent in Gray County, KS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Gray County, KS are $643 for a studio, $800 for 1 bedroom, $877 for 2 bedrooms, $1,090 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,161 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Gray County, KS compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Gray County, KS is 90.1 (9.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Gray County, KS?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($877/month) in Gray County, KS requires a minimum gross household income of $35,080 per year ($2,923 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Gray County, KS?

For a typical household earning the median income of $79,122/year ($6,594/month) in Gray County, KS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,297/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,978/month to discretionary spending, and $1,319/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Gray County, KS?

Residential electricity rates in Kansas average 15.7¢ 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 $141 per month.