Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$71,932$5,994 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Meagher County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Meagher County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Meagher County, MT. 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 | $1,044 | $12,528 | $41,760 | 17.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,087 | $13,044 | $43,480 | 18.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,393 | $16,716 | $55,720 | 23.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,925 | $23,100 | $77,000 | 32.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,252 | $27,024 | $90,080 | 37.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Meagher County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $71,932/year ($5,994/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 Meagher County, MT
What is the median household income in Meagher County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Meagher County, MT is $71,932 per year (approximately $5,994 per month).
What is the average rent in Meagher County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Meagher County, MT are $1,044 for a studio, $1,087 for 1 bedroom, $1,393 for 2 bedrooms, $1,925 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,252 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Meagher County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Meagher County, MT is 94.6 (5.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Meagher County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,393/month) in Meagher County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $55,720 per year ($4,643 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Meagher County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $71,932/year ($5,994/month) in Meagher County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,997/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,798/month to discretionary spending, and $1,199/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Meagher 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.