Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$73,658$6,138 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Mesa County, CO
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Mesa County, CO
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Grand Junction, CO 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 | $881 | $10,572 | $35,240 | 14.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $986 | $11,832 | $39,440 | 16.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,249 | $14,988 | $49,960 | 20.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,737 | $20,844 | $69,480 | 28.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,095 | $25,140 | $83,800 | 34.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Mesa County, CO
Based on the local median household income of $73,658/year ($6,138/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Colorado
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Colorado state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Colorado with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Mesa County, CO
What is the median household income in Mesa County, CO?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Mesa County, CO is $73,658 per year (approximately $6,138 per month).
What is the average rent in Mesa County, CO?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Mesa County, CO are $881 for a studio, $986 for 1 bedroom, $1,249 for 2 bedrooms, $1,737 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,095 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Mesa County, CO compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Mesa County, CO is 95.5 (4.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Mesa County, CO?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,249/month) in Mesa County, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $49,960 per year ($4,163 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Mesa County, CO?
For a typical household earning the median income of $73,658/year ($6,138/month) in Mesa County, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,069/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,841/month to discretionary spending, and $1,228/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Mesa County, CO?
Residential electricity rates in Colorado average 17.1¢ 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 $154 per month.