Illinois · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Jersey County, IL

The median household in Jersey County, IL earns $80,361 a year ($6,697/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,218/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $48,720 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$80,361$6,697 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,218HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)95.1-4.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IL
Census Population21,274Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Jersey County, IL

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,218Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$48,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,009At 30% of $80,361
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Jersey County, IL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for St. Louis, MO-IL HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Jersey County, IL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$955$11,460$38,20014.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$995$11,940$39,80014.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,218$14,616$48,72018.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,568$18,816$62,72023.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,812$21,744$72,48027.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Jersey County, IL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Jersey County, IL

Based on the local median household income of $80,361/year ($6,697/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,348/moRent ($1,218 2-BR), utilities (~$179/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,009/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 95.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,339/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Illinois

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

$80,361
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$80,361
Net 77%
Fed 11%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$61,531After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,128Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,367Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,849 / yr
Illinois state income tax$3,833 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,148 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Jersey County, IL

What is the median household income in Jersey County, IL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jersey County, IL is $80,361 per year (approximately $6,697 per month).

What is the average rent in Jersey County, IL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Jersey County, IL are $955 for a studio, $995 for 1 bedroom, $1,218 for 2 bedrooms, $1,568 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,812 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Jersey County, IL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Jersey County, IL is 95.1 (4.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Jersey County, IL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,218/month) in Jersey County, IL requires a minimum gross household income of $48,720 per year ($4,060 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Jersey County, IL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $80,361/year ($6,697/month) in Jersey County, IL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,348/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,009/month to discretionary spending, and $1,339/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Jersey County, IL?

Residential electricity rates in Illinois average 19.9¢ 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 $179 per month.