Idaho · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Kootenai County, ID

The median household in Kootenai County, ID earns $81,861 a year ($6,822/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,547/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $61,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$81,861$6,822 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,547HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.3-1.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential ID
Census Population181,996Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Kootenai County, ID

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,547Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$61,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,047At 30% of $81,861
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kootenai County, ID

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Coeur d'Alene, ID 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 Kootenai County, ID
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,103$13,236$44,12016.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,302$15,624$52,08019.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,547$18,564$61,88022.7%
3-Bedroom Home$2,152$25,824$86,08031.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,595$31,140$103,80038%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Kootenai County, ID →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Kootenai County, ID

Based on the local median household income of $81,861/year ($6,822/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,411/moRent ($1,547 2-BR), utilities (~$129/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,047/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,364/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Idaho

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

$81,861
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$81,861
Net 77%
Fed 11%
ID 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$63,170After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,264Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,430Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,179 / yr
Idaho state income tax$3,249 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,262 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kootenai County, ID

What is the median household income in Kootenai County, ID?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kootenai County, ID is $81,861 per year (approximately $6,822 per month).

What is the average rent in Kootenai County, ID?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kootenai County, ID are $1,103 for a studio, $1,302 for 1 bedroom, $1,547 for 2 bedrooms, $2,152 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,595 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Kootenai County, ID compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kootenai County, ID is 98.3 (1.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kootenai County, ID?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,547/month) in Kootenai County, ID requires a minimum gross household income of $61,880 per year ($5,157 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kootenai County, ID?

For a typical household earning the median income of $81,861/year ($6,822/month) in Kootenai County, ID, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,411/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,047/month to discretionary spending, and $1,364/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kootenai County, ID?

Residential electricity rates in Idaho average 14.4¢ 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 $129 per month.