Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$43,214$3,601 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Monroe County, AR
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Monroe County, AR
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Monroe County, AR. 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 | $660 | $7,920 | $26,400 | 18.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $671 | $8,052 | $26,840 | 18.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $880 | $10,560 | $35,200 | 24.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,055 | $12,660 | $42,200 | 29.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,240 | $14,880 | $49,600 | 34.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Monroe County, AR
Based on the local median household income of $43,214/year ($3,601/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Arkansas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Monroe County, AR
What is the median household income in Monroe County, AR?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Monroe County, AR is $43,214 per year (approximately $3,601 per month).
What is the average rent in Monroe County, AR?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Monroe County, AR are $660 for a studio, $671 for 1 bedroom, $880 for 2 bedrooms, $1,055 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,240 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Monroe County, AR compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Monroe County, AR is 86.9 (13.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Monroe County, AR?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($880/month) in Monroe County, AR requires a minimum gross household income of $35,200 per year ($2,933 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Monroe County, AR?
For a typical household earning the median income of $43,214/year ($3,601/month) in Monroe County, AR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,801/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,080/month to discretionary spending, and $720/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Monroe 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.