Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$78,631$6,553 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Kearney County, NE
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kearney County, NE
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kearney County, NE. 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 | $689 | $8,268 | $27,560 | 10.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $757 | $9,084 | $30,280 | 11.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $993 | $11,916 | $39,720 | 15.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,191 | $14,292 | $47,640 | 18.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,327 | $15,924 | $53,080 | 20.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Kearney County, NE
Based on the local median household income of $78,631/year ($6,553/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Nebraska
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Nebraska state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Nebraska with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kearney County, NE
What is the median household income in Kearney County, NE?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kearney County, NE is $78,631 per year (approximately $6,553 per month).
What is the average rent in Kearney County, NE?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kearney County, NE are $689 for a studio, $757 for 1 bedroom, $993 for 2 bedrooms, $1,191 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,327 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Kearney County, NE compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kearney County, NE is 90.1 (9.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kearney County, NE?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($993/month) in Kearney County, NE requires a minimum gross household income of $39,720 per year ($3,310 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kearney County, NE?
For a typical household earning the median income of $78,631/year ($6,553/month) in Kearney County, NE, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,276/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,966/month to discretionary spending, and $1,311/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kearney County, NE?
Residential electricity rates in Nebraska average 13.3¢ 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 $119 per month.