Arkansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Madison County, AR

The median household in Madison County, AR earns $56,798 a year ($4,733/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,347/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$56,798$4,733 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,347HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.4-8.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential AR
Census Population17,329Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Madison County, AR

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,347Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,420At 30% of $56,798
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Madison County, AR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR 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 Madison County, AR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,007$12,084$40,28021.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,115$13,380$44,60023.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,347$16,164$53,88028.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,873$22,476$74,92039.6%
4-Bedroom Home$2,213$26,556$88,52046.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Madison County, AR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Madison County, AR

Based on the local median household income of $56,798/year ($4,733/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,367/moRent ($1,347 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,420/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$947/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Arkansas

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

$56,798
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$56,798
Net 81%
Fed 8%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$46,147After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,846Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,775Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,636 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$1,670 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,345 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Madison County, AR

What is the median household income in Madison County, AR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Madison County, AR is $56,798 per year (approximately $4,733 per month).

What is the average rent in Madison County, AR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Madison County, AR are $1,007 for a studio, $1,115 for 1 bedroom, $1,347 for 2 bedrooms, $1,873 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,213 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Madison County, AR compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Madison County, AR is 91.4 (8.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Madison County, AR?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,347/month) in Madison County, AR requires a minimum gross household income of $53,880 per year ($4,490 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Madison County, AR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $56,798/year ($4,733/month) in Madison County, AR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,367/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,420/month to discretionary spending, and $947/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Madison County, AR?

Residential electricity rates in Arkansas average 14.1¢ 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 $127 per month.