Wisconsin · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Lafayette County, WI

The median household in Lafayette County, WI earns $76,462 a year ($6,372/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $973/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$76,462$6,372 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.1-5.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential WI
Census Population16,942Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Lafayette County, WI

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income15.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,912At 30% of $76,462
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lafayette County, WI

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lafayette County, WI. 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 Lafayette County, WI
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$691$8,292$27,64010.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$819$9,828$32,76012.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92015.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,353$16,236$54,12021.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,466$17,592$58,64023%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Lafayette County, WI →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Lafayette County, WI

Based on the local median household income of $76,462/year ($6,372/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,186/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$176/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,912/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,274/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Wisconsin

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

$76,462
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$76,462
Net 78%
Fed 10%
WI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$59,591After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,966Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,292Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,992 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$3,030 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,849 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lafayette County, WI

What is the median household income in Lafayette County, WI?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lafayette County, WI is $76,462 per year (approximately $6,372 per month).

What is the average rent in Lafayette County, WI?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lafayette County, WI are $691 for a studio, $819 for 1 bedroom, $973 for 2 bedrooms, $1,353 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,466 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Lafayette County, WI compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lafayette County, WI is 94.1 (5.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lafayette County, WI?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($973/month) in Lafayette County, WI requires a minimum gross household income of $38,920 per year ($3,243 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lafayette County, WI?

For a typical household earning the median income of $76,462/year ($6,372/month) in Lafayette County, WI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,186/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,912/month to discretionary spending, and $1,274/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lafayette County, WI?

Residential electricity rates in Wisconsin average 19.6¢ 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 $176 per month.