Wisconsin · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Janesville, WI

The median household in Janesville, WI earns $73,446 a year ($6,121/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,246/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $49,840 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,446$6,121 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,246HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.7-6.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential WI
Census Population66,030Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Janesville, WI

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,246Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,840To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,836At 30% of $73,446
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Janesville, WI

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Janesville-Beloit, WI MSA. 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 Janesville, WI
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$900$10,800$36,00014.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$955$11,460$38,20015.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,246$14,952$49,84020.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,596$19,152$63,84026.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,650$19,800$66,00027%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Janesville, WI →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Janesville, WI

Based on the local median household income of $73,446/year ($6,121/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,060/moRent ($1,246 2-BR), utilities (~$176/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,836/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,224/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Wisconsin

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

$73,446
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,446
Net 78%
Fed 10%
WI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,648After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,804Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,217Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,328 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$2,851 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,619 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Janesville, WI

What is the median household income in Janesville, WI?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Janesville, WI is $73,446 per year (approximately $6,121 per month).

What is the average rent in Janesville, WI?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Janesville, WI are $900 for a studio, $955 for 1 bedroom, $1,246 for 2 bedrooms, $1,596 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,650 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Janesville, WI compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Janesville, WI is 93.7 (6.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Janesville, WI?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,246/month) in Janesville, WI requires a minimum gross household income of $49,840 per year ($4,153 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Janesville, WI?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,446/year ($6,121/month) in Janesville, WI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,060/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,836/month to discretionary spending, and $1,224/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Janesville, WI?

Residential electricity rates in Wisconsin average 19.6¢ 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 $176 per month.