Indiana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Orange County, IN

The median household in Orange County, IN earns $65,873 a year ($5,489/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $956/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$65,873$5,489 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$956HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.3-6.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential IN
Census Population19,767Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Orange County, IN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$956Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,647At 30% of $65,873
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Orange County, IN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Orange County, IN. 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 Orange County, IN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$685$8,220$27,40012.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$729$8,748$29,16013.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$956$11,472$38,24017.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,330$15,960$53,20024.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,564$18,768$62,56028.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Orange County, IN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Orange County, IN

Based on the local median household income of $65,873/year ($5,489/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,745/moRent ($956 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,647/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,098/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Indiana

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

$65,873
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$65,873
Net 81%
Fed 9%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,195After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,433Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,046Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,725 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,914 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,039 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Orange County, IN

What is the median household income in Orange County, IN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Orange County, IN is $65,873 per year (approximately $5,489 per month).

What is the average rent in Orange County, IN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Orange County, IN are $685 for a studio, $729 for 1 bedroom, $956 for 2 bedrooms, $1,330 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,564 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Orange County, IN compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Orange County, IN is 93.3 (6.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Orange County, IN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($956/month) in Orange County, IN requires a minimum gross household income of $38,240 per year ($3,187 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Orange County, IN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $65,873/year ($5,489/month) in Orange County, IN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,745/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,647/month to discretionary spending, and $1,098/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Orange County, IN?

Residential electricity rates in Indiana average 17.5¢ 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 $158 per month.