North Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Haywood County, NC

The median household in Haywood County, NC earns $61,912 a year ($5,159/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,230/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $49,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$61,912$5,159 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,230HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.3-5.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Census Population62,662Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Haywood County, NC

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,230Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,548At 30% of $61,912
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Haywood County, NC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Haywood County, NC. 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 Haywood County, NC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,039$12,468$41,56020.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,122$13,464$44,88021.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,230$14,760$49,20023.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,475$17,700$59,00028.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,844$22,128$73,76035.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Haywood County, NC →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Haywood County, NC

Based on the local median household income of $61,912/year ($5,159/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,580/moRent ($1,230 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,548/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,032/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in North Carolina

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

$61,912
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,912
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,965After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,164Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,922Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,249 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,962 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,736 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across North Carolina with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Haywood County, NC

What is the median household income in Haywood County, NC?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Haywood County, NC is $61,912 per year (approximately $5,159 per month).

What is the average rent in Haywood County, NC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Haywood County, NC are $1,039 for a studio, $1,122 for 1 bedroom, $1,230 for 2 bedrooms, $1,475 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,844 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Haywood County, NC compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Haywood County, NC is 94.3 (5.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Haywood County, NC?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,230/month) in Haywood County, NC requires a minimum gross household income of $49,200 per year ($4,100 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Haywood County, NC?

For a typical household earning the median income of $61,912/year ($5,159/month) in Haywood County, NC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,580/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,548/month to discretionary spending, and $1,032/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Haywood County, NC?

Residential electricity rates in North Carolina average 14.7¢ 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 $133 per month.