Nebraska · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Harlan County, NE

The median household in Harlan County, NE earns $70,625 a year ($5,885/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $961/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$70,625$5,885 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$961HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.1-9.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate13.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential NE
Census Population2,847Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Harlan County, NE

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$961Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,766At 30% of $70,625
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Harlan County, NE

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Harlan County, NE. 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 Harlan County, NE
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$666$7,992$26,64011.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$752$9,024$30,08012.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$961$11,532$38,44016.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,268$15,216$50,72021.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,272$15,264$50,88021.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Harlan County, NE →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Harlan County, NE

Based on the local median household income of $70,625/year ($5,885/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,943/moRent ($961 2-BR), utilities (~$119/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,766/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,177/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Nebraska

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

$70,625
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,625
Net 80%
Fed 9%
NE 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$56,181After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,682Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,161Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,708 / yr
Nebraska state income tax$2,334 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,403 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Harlan County, NE

What is the median household income in Harlan County, NE?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Harlan County, NE is $70,625 per year (approximately $5,885 per month).

What is the average rent in Harlan County, NE?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Harlan County, NE are $666 for a studio, $752 for 1 bedroom, $961 for 2 bedrooms, $1,268 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,272 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Harlan County, NE compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Harlan County, NE 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 Harlan County, NE?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($961/month) in Harlan County, NE requires a minimum gross household income of $38,440 per year ($3,203 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Harlan County, NE?

For a typical household earning the median income of $70,625/year ($5,885/month) in Harlan County, NE, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,943/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,766/month to discretionary spending, and $1,177/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Harlan County, NE?

Residential electricity rates in Nebraska average 13.3¢ 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 $119 per month.