Wyoming · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Natrona County, WY

The median household in Natrona County, WY earns $72,156 a year ($6,013/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,082/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $43,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$72,156$6,013 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,082HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.8-6.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential WY
Census Population79,977Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Natrona County, WY

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,082Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$43,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,804At 30% of $72,156
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Natrona County, WY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Casper, WY MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Natrona County, WY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$767$9,204$30,68012.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$852$10,224$34,08014.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,082$12,984$43,28018%
3-Bedroom Home$1,505$18,060$60,20025%
4-Bedroom Home$1,815$21,780$72,60030.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Natrona County, WY →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Natrona County, WY

Based on the local median household income of $72,156/year ($6,013/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,007/moRent ($1,082 2-BR), utilities (~$137/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,804/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,203/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Wyoming

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Wyoming state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$72,156
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$72,156
Net 83%
Fed 10%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$59,592After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,966Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,292Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,044 / yr
Wyoming state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,520 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Wyoming with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Natrona County, WY

What is the median household income in Natrona County, WY?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Natrona County, WY is $72,156 per year (approximately $6,013 per month).

What is the average rent in Natrona County, WY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Natrona County, WY are $767 for a studio, $852 for 1 bedroom, $1,082 for 2 bedrooms, $1,505 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,815 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Natrona County, WY compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Natrona County, WY is 93.8 (6.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Natrona County, WY?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,082/month) in Natrona County, WY requires a minimum gross household income of $43,280 per year ($3,607 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Natrona County, WY?

For a typical household earning the median income of $72,156/year ($6,013/month) in Natrona County, WY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,007/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,804/month to discretionary spending, and $1,203/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Natrona County, WY?

Residential electricity rates in Wyoming average 15.2¢ 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 $137 per month.