Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$63,073$5,256 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Ida County, IA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Ida County, IA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Ida County, IA. 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 | $682 | $8,184 | $27,280 | 13% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $764 | $9,168 | $30,560 | 14.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $919 | $11,028 | $36,760 | 17.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,102 | $13,224 | $44,080 | 21% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,217 | $14,604 | $48,680 | 23.2% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Ida County, IA
Based on the local median household income of $63,073/year ($5,256/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 Ida County, IA
What is the median household income in Ida County, IA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Ida County, IA is $63,073 per year (approximately $5,256 per month).
What is the average rent in Ida County, IA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Ida County, IA are $682 for a studio, $764 for 1 bedroom, $919 for 2 bedrooms, $1,102 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,217 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Ida County, IA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Ida County, IA is 87.8 (12.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Ida County, IA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($919/month) in Ida County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,760 per year ($3,063 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Ida County, IA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $63,073/year ($5,256/month) in Ida County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,628/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,577/month to discretionary spending, and $1,051/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Ida 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.