Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,897$4,575 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Highlands County, FL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Highlands County, FL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Sebring, FL MSA. 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 | $876 | $10,512 | $35,040 | 19.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,006 | $12,072 | $40,240 | 22% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,271 | $15,252 | $50,840 | 27.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,538 | $18,456 | $61,520 | 33.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,017 | $24,204 | $80,680 | 44.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Highlands County, FL
Based on the local median household income of $54,897/year ($4,575/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Florida
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Florida state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Florida with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Highlands County, FL
What is the median household income in Highlands County, FL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Highlands County, FL is $54,897 per year (approximately $4,575 per month).
What is the average rent in Highlands County, FL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Highlands County, FL are $876 for a studio, $1,006 for 1 bedroom, $1,271 for 2 bedrooms, $1,538 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,017 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Highlands County, FL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Highlands County, FL is 92.5 (7.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Highlands County, FL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,271/month) in Highlands County, FL requires a minimum gross household income of $50,840 per year ($4,237 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Highlands County, FL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,897/year ($4,575/month) in Highlands County, FL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,287/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,372/month to discretionary spending, and $915/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Highlands County, FL?
Residential electricity rates in Florida average 15.1¢ 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 $136 per month.