Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in King County, TX

The median household in King County, TX earns $46,645 a year ($3,887/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,015/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,600 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$46,645$3,887 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,015HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.1-2.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population211Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in King County, TX

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,015Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,166At 30% of $46,645
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: King County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for King County, TX. 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 King County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$789$9,468$31,56020.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$811$9,732$32,44020.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,015$12,180$40,60026.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,321$15,852$52,84034%
4-Bedroom Home$1,493$17,916$59,72038.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for King County, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in King County, TX

Based on the local median household income of $46,645/year ($3,887/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,944/moRent ($1,015 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,166/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$777/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Texas

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

$46,645
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,645
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,659After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,305Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,525Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,417 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,568 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in King County, TX

What is the median household income in King County, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in King County, TX is $46,645 per year (approximately $3,887 per month).

What is the average rent in King County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in King County, TX are $789 for a studio, $811 for 1 bedroom, $1,015 for 2 bedrooms, $1,321 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,493 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in King County, TX compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in King County, TX is 97.1 (2.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in King County, TX?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,015/month) in King County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $40,600 per year ($3,383 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in King County, TX?

For a typical household earning the median income of $46,645/year ($3,887/month) in King County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,944/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,166/month to discretionary spending, and $777/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in King County, TX?

Residential electricity rates in Texas average 15.9¢ 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 $143 per month.