Washington · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Kittitas County, WA

The median household in Kittitas County, WA earns $73,804 a year ($6,150/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,454/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $58,160 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,804$6,150 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,454HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)107.0+7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential WA
Census Population47,172Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Kittitas County, WA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,454Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$58,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,845At 30% of $73,804
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kittitas County, WA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kittitas County, WA. 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 Kittitas County, WA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,002$12,024$40,08016.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,108$13,296$44,32018%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,454$17,448$58,16023.6%
3-Bedroom Home$2,022$24,264$80,88032.9%
4-Bedroom Home$2,439$29,268$97,56039.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Kittitas County, WA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Kittitas County, WA

Based on the local median household income of $73,804/year ($6,150/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,075/moRent ($1,454 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,845/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 107.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,230/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Washington

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

$73,804
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,804
Net 82%
Fed 10%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,751After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,063Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,337Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,407 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,646 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kittitas County, WA

What is the median household income in Kittitas County, WA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kittitas County, WA is $73,804 per year (approximately $6,150 per month).

What is the average rent in Kittitas County, WA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kittitas County, WA are $1,002 for a studio, $1,108 for 1 bedroom, $1,454 for 2 bedrooms, $2,022 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,439 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Kittitas County, WA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kittitas County, WA is 107.0 (7% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kittitas County, WA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,454/month) in Kittitas County, WA requires a minimum gross household income of $58,160 per year ($4,847 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kittitas County, WA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,804/year ($6,150/month) in Kittitas County, WA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,075/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,845/month to discretionary spending, and $1,230/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kittitas County, WA?

Residential electricity rates in Washington average 14.9¢ 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 $134 per month.