Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$78,237$6,520 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Lewis and Clark County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lewis and Clark County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lewis and Clark County, MT HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 | $1,136 | $13,632 | $45,440 | 17.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,319 | $15,828 | $52,760 | 20.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,647 | $19,764 | $65,880 | 25.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,250 | $27,000 | $90,000 | 34.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,496 | $29,952 | $99,840 | 38.3% |
See dedicated rental breakdown for Lewis and Clark County, MT →
50/30/20 Living Budget in Lewis and Clark County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $78,237/year ($6,520/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Montana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Montana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lewis and Clark County, MT
What is the median household income in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lewis and Clark County, MT is $78,237 per year (approximately $6,520 per month).
What is the average rent in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lewis and Clark County, MT are $1,136 for a studio, $1,319 for 1 bedroom, $1,647 for 2 bedrooms, $2,250 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,496 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Lewis and Clark County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lewis and Clark County, MT is 95.7 (4.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,647/month) in Lewis and Clark County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $65,880 per year ($5,490 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $78,237/year ($6,520/month) in Lewis and Clark County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,260/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,956/month to discretionary spending, and $1,304/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
Residential electricity rates in Montana average 15.1¢ 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 $136 per month.