Colorado · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Gunnison County, CO

The median household in Gunnison County, CO earns $84,527 a year ($7,044/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,334/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$84,527$7,044 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,334HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)103.1+3.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential CO
Census Population17,241Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Gunnison County, CO

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,334Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,113At 30% of $84,527
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Gunnison County, CO

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Gunnison County, CO. 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 Gunnison County, CO
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,015$12,180$40,60014.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,149$13,788$45,96016.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,334$16,008$53,36018.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,855$22,260$74,20026.3%
4-Bedroom Home$2,238$26,856$89,52031.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Gunnison County, CO →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Gunnison County, CO

Based on the local median household income of $84,527/year ($7,044/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,522/moRent ($1,334 2-BR), utilities (~$154/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,113/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 103.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,409/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Colorado

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

$84,527
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$84,527
Net 77%
Fed 12%
CO 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$65,284After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,440Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,511Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,766 / yr
Colorado state income tax$3,011 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,466 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Gunnison County, CO

What is the median household income in Gunnison County, CO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Gunnison County, CO is $84,527 per year (approximately $7,044 per month).

What is the average rent in Gunnison County, CO?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Gunnison County, CO are $1,015 for a studio, $1,149 for 1 bedroom, $1,334 for 2 bedrooms, $1,855 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,238 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Gunnison County, CO compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Gunnison County, CO is 103.1 (3.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Gunnison County, CO?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,334/month) in Gunnison County, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $53,360 per year ($4,447 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Gunnison County, CO?

For a typical household earning the median income of $84,527/year ($7,044/month) in Gunnison County, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,522/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,113/month to discretionary spending, and $1,409/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Gunnison County, CO?

Residential electricity rates in Colorado average 17.1¢ 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 $154 per month.