Arizona · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in La Paz County, AZ

The median household in La Paz County, AZ earns $49,478 a year ($4,123/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,153/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $46,120 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.7% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$49,478$4,123 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,153HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)100.7+0.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential AZ
Census Population16,664Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in La Paz County, AZ

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,153Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$46,120To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,237At 30% of $49,478
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: La Paz County, AZ

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for La Paz County, AZ. 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 La Paz County, AZ
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$873$10,476$34,92021.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$879$10,548$35,16021.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,153$13,836$46,12028%
3-Bedroom Home$1,604$19,248$64,16038.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,934$23,208$77,36046.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for La Paz County, AZ →

50/30/20 Living Budget in La Paz County, AZ

Based on the local median household income of $49,478/year ($4,123/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,062/moRent ($1,153 2-BR), utilities (~$137/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,237/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 100.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$825/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Arizona

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

$49,478
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,478
Net 83%
Fed 8%
AZ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,092After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,424Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,580Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,757 / yr
Arizona state income tax$843 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,785 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in La Paz County, AZ

What is the median household income in La Paz County, AZ?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in La Paz County, AZ is $49,478 per year (approximately $4,123 per month).

What is the average rent in La Paz County, AZ?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in La Paz County, AZ are $873 for a studio, $879 for 1 bedroom, $1,153 for 2 bedrooms, $1,604 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,934 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in La Paz County, AZ compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in La Paz County, AZ 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 La Paz County, AZ?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,153/month) in La Paz County, AZ requires a minimum gross household income of $46,120 per year ($3,843 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in La Paz County, AZ?

For a typical household earning the median income of $49,478/year ($4,123/month) in La Paz County, AZ, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,062/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,237/month to discretionary spending, and $825/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in La Paz County, AZ?

Residential electricity rates in Arizona average 15.2¢ 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 $137 per month.