Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,969$4,581 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Jay County, IN
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Jay County, IN
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Jay County, IN. 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 | $685 | $8,220 | $27,400 | 15% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $729 | $8,748 | $29,160 | 15.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $956 | $11,472 | $38,240 | 20.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,261 | $15,132 | $50,440 | 27.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,266 | $15,192 | $50,640 | 27.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Jay County, IN
Based on the local median household income of $54,969/year ($4,581/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Indiana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Indiana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Indiana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Jay County, IN
What is the median household income in Jay County, IN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jay County, IN is $54,969 per year (approximately $4,581 per month).
What is the average rent in Jay County, IN?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Jay County, IN are $685 for a studio, $729 for 1 bedroom, $956 for 2 bedrooms, $1,261 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,266 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Jay County, IN compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Jay County, IN is 93.3 (6.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Jay County, IN?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($956/month) in Jay County, IN requires a minimum gross household income of $38,240 per year ($3,187 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Jay County, IN?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,969/year ($4,581/month) in Jay County, IN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,290/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,374/month to discretionary spending, and $916/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Jay County, IN?
Residential electricity rates in Indiana average 17.5¢ 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 $158 per month.