Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$66,301$5,525 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Jefferson County, NY
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Jefferson County, NY
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Watertown-Fort Drum, NY 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 | $969 | $11,628 | $38,760 | 17.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,071 | $12,852 | $42,840 | 19.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,405 | $16,860 | $56,200 | 25.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,907 | $22,884 | $76,280 | 34.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,340 | $28,080 | $93,600 | 42.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Jefferson County, NY
Based on the local median household income of $66,301/year ($5,525/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in New York
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and New York state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across New York with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Jefferson County, NY
What is the median household income in Jefferson County, NY?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jefferson County, NY is $66,301 per year (approximately $5,525 per month).
What is the average rent in Jefferson County, NY?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Jefferson County, NY are $969 for a studio, $1,071 for 1 bedroom, $1,405 for 2 bedrooms, $1,907 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,340 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Jefferson County, NY compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Jefferson County, NY is 87.7 (12.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Jefferson County, NY?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,405/month) in Jefferson County, NY requires a minimum gross household income of $56,200 per year ($4,683 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Jefferson County, NY?
For a typical household earning the median income of $66,301/year ($5,525/month) in Jefferson County, NY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,763/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,658/month to discretionary spending, and $1,105/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Jefferson County, NY?
Residential electricity rates in New York average 29.5¢ 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 $265 per month.