New York · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Kingston, NY

The median household in Kingston, NY earns $68,186 a year ($5,682/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,818/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $72,720 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.7% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$68,186$5,682 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,818HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)100.7+0.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate29.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential NY
Census Population23,911Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Kingston, NY

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

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,818Monthly market rent
Share of gross income32%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$72,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,705At 30% of $68,186
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kingston, NY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kingston, NY MSA. 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 Kingston, NY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,303$15,636$52,12022.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,386$16,632$55,44024.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,818$21,816$72,72032%
3-Bedroom Home$2,245$26,940$89,80039.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,407$28,884$96,28042.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Kingston, NY →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Kingston, NY

Based on the local median household income of $68,186/year ($5,682/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,841/moRent ($1,818 2-BR), utilities (~$265/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,705/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 100.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,136/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$68,186
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,186
Net 79%
Fed 9%
NY 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,713After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,476Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,066Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,171 / yr
New York state income tax$3,085 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,216 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across New York with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kingston, NY

What is the median household income in Kingston, NY?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kingston, NY is $68,186 per year (approximately $5,682 per month).

What is the average rent in Kingston, NY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kingston, NY are $1,303 for a studio, $1,386 for 1 bedroom, $1,818 for 2 bedrooms, $2,245 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,407 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Kingston, NY compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kingston, NY is 100.7 (0.7% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kingston, NY?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,818/month) in Kingston, NY requires a minimum gross household income of $72,720 per year ($6,060 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kingston, NY?

For a typical household earning the median income of $68,186/year ($5,682/month) in Kingston, NY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,841/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,705/month to discretionary spending, and $1,136/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kingston, 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.