Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$86,056$7,171 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in La Plata County, CO
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: La Plata County, CO
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for La Plata County, CO. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,181 | $14,172 | $47,240 | 16.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,211 | $14,532 | $48,440 | 16.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,589 | $19,068 | $63,560 | 22.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,942 | $23,304 | $77,680 | 27.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,288 | $27,456 | $91,520 | 31.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in La Plata County, CO
Based on the local median household income of $86,056/year ($7,171/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Colorado
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Colorado state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Colorado with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in La Plata County, CO
What is the median household income in La Plata County, CO?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in La Plata County, CO is $86,056 per year (approximately $7,171 per month).
What is the average rent in La Plata County, CO?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in La Plata County, CO are $1,181 for a studio, $1,211 for 1 bedroom, $1,589 for 2 bedrooms, $1,942 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,288 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in La Plata County, CO compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in La Plata County, CO is 103.1 (3.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in La Plata County, CO?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,589/month) in La Plata County, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $63,560 per year ($5,297 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in La Plata County, CO?
For a typical household earning the median income of $86,056/year ($7,171/month) in La Plata County, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,586/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,151/month to discretionary spending, and $1,434/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in La Plata County, CO?
Residential electricity rates in Colorado average 17.1¢ 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 $154 per month.