Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,519$4,543 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Malheur County, OR
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Malheur County, OR
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Malheur County, OR. 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 | $772 | $9,264 | $30,880 | 17% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $942 | $11,304 | $37,680 | 20.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,081 | $12,972 | $43,240 | 23.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,503 | $18,036 | $60,120 | 33.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,813 | $21,756 | $72,520 | 39.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Malheur County, OR
Based on the local median household income of $54,519/year ($4,543/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Oregon
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Oregon state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Oregon with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Malheur County, OR
What is the median household income in Malheur County, OR?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Malheur County, OR is $54,519 per year (approximately $4,543 per month).
What is the average rent in Malheur County, OR?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Malheur County, OR are $772 for a studio, $942 for 1 bedroom, $1,081 for 2 bedrooms, $1,503 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,813 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Malheur County, OR compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Malheur County, OR is 103.4 (3.4% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Malheur County, OR?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,081/month) in Malheur County, OR requires a minimum gross household income of $43,240 per year ($3,603 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Malheur County, OR?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,519/year ($4,543/month) in Malheur County, OR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,272/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,363/month to discretionary spending, and $909/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Malheur County, OR?
Residential electricity rates in Oregon average 16.3¢ 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 $147 per month.