Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$77,884$6,490 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Marathon County, WI
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Marathon County, WI
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wausau, WI MSA. 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 | $791 | $9,492 | $31,640 | 12.2% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $889 | $10,668 | $35,560 | 13.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,147 | $13,764 | $45,880 | 17.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,511 | $18,132 | $60,440 | 23.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,519 | $18,228 | $60,760 | 23.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Marathon County, WI
Based on the local median household income of $77,884/year ($6,490/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Wisconsin with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Marathon County, WI
What is the median household income in Marathon County, WI?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Marathon County, WI is $77,884 per year (approximately $6,490 per month).
What is the average rent in Marathon County, WI?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Marathon County, WI are $791 for a studio, $889 for 1 bedroom, $1,147 for 2 bedrooms, $1,511 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,519 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Marathon County, WI compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Marathon County, WI is 92.7 (7.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Marathon County, WI?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,147/month) in Marathon County, WI requires a minimum gross household income of $45,880 per year ($3,823 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Marathon County, WI?
For a typical household earning the median income of $77,884/year ($6,490/month) in Marathon County, WI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,245/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,947/month to discretionary spending, and $1,298/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Marathon 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.