Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$77,711$6,476 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Guthrie County, IA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Guthrie County, IA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA 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.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,063 | $12,756 | $42,520 | 16.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,109 | $13,308 | $44,360 | 17.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,318 | $15,816 | $52,720 | 20.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,794 | $21,528 | $71,760 | 27.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,841 | $22,092 | $73,640 | 28.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Guthrie County, IA
Based on the local median household income of $77,711/year ($6,476/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Iowa state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Iowa with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Guthrie County, IA
What is the median household income in Guthrie County, IA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Guthrie County, IA is $77,711 per year (approximately $6,476 per month).
What is the average rent in Guthrie County, IA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Guthrie County, IA are $1,063 for a studio, $1,109 for 1 bedroom, $1,318 for 2 bedrooms, $1,794 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,841 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Guthrie County, IA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Guthrie County, IA is 91.7 (8.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Guthrie County, IA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,318/month) in Guthrie County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $52,720 per year ($4,393 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Guthrie County, IA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $77,711/year ($6,476/month) in Guthrie County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,238/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,943/month to discretionary spending, and $1,295/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Guthrie County, IA?
Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ 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 $143 per month.