Indiana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Parke County, IN

The median household in Parke County, IN earns $68,485 a year ($5,707/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $964/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,560 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$68,485$5,707 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$964HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.3-6.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential IN
Census Population16,406Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$964Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,712At 30% of $68,485
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Parke County, IN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Parke 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 Parke County, IN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$691$8,292$27,64012.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$735$8,820$29,40012.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$964$11,568$38,56016.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,272$15,264$50,88022.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,276$15,312$51,04022.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Parke County, IN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $68,485/year ($5,707/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,854/moRent ($964 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,712/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,141/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.

$68,485
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,485
Net 80%
Fed 9%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,018After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,585Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,116Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,237 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,991 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,239 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Parke County, IN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Parke County, IN is $68,485 per year (approximately $5,707 per month).

What is the average rent in Parke County, IN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Parke County, IN are $691 for a studio, $735 for 1 bedroom, $964 for 2 bedrooms, $1,272 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,276 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Parke 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 Parke County, IN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($964/month) in Parke County, IN requires a minimum gross household income of $38,560 per year ($3,213 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $68,485/year ($5,707/month) in Parke County, IN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,854/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,712/month to discretionary spending, and $1,141/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Parke 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.