Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$49,272$4,106 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Hardy County, WV
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Hardy County, WV
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Hardy County, WV. 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 | $715 | $8,580 | $28,600 | 17.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $784 | $9,408 | $31,360 | 19.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $932 | $11,184 | $37,280 | 22.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,146 | $13,752 | $45,840 | 27.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,263 | $15,156 | $50,520 | 30.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Hardy County, WV
Based on the local median household income of $49,272/year ($4,106/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in West Virginia
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and West Virginia state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across West Virginia with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hardy County, WV
What is the median household income in Hardy County, WV?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hardy County, WV is $49,272 per year (approximately $4,106 per month).
What is the average rent in Hardy County, WV?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Hardy County, WV are $715 for a studio, $784 for 1 bedroom, $932 for 2 bedrooms, $1,146 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,263 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Hardy County, WV compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Hardy County, WV is 89.5 (10.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Hardy County, WV?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($932/month) in Hardy County, WV requires a minimum gross household income of $37,280 per year ($3,107 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Hardy County, WV?
For a typical household earning the median income of $49,272/year ($4,106/month) in Hardy County, WV, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,053/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,232/month to discretionary spending, and $821/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Hardy County, WV?
Residential electricity rates in West Virginia average 15.5¢ 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 $139 per month.