Oklahoma · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Payne County, OK

The median household in Payne County, OK earns $49,809 a year ($4,151/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,035/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $41,400 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 12.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$49,809$4,151 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,035HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.8-12.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential OK
Census Population82,972Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Payne County, OK

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,035Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$41,400To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,245At 30% of $49,809
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Payne County, OK

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Payne County, OK. 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 Payne County, OK
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$784$9,408$31,36018.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$847$10,164$33,88020.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,035$12,420$41,40024.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,439$17,268$57,56034.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,568$18,816$62,72037.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Payne County, OK →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Payne County, OK

Based on the local median household income of $49,809/year ($4,151/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,075/moRent ($1,035 2-BR), utilities (~$129/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,245/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$830/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Oklahoma

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

$49,809
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,809
Net 81%
Fed 8%
OK 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,506After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,375Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,558Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,797 / yr
Oklahoma state income tax$1,696 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,810 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Payne County, OK

What is the median household income in Payne County, OK?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Payne County, OK is $49,809 per year (approximately $4,151 per month).

What is the average rent in Payne County, OK?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Payne County, OK are $784 for a studio, $847 for 1 bedroom, $1,035 for 2 bedrooms, $1,439 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,568 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Payne County, OK compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Payne County, OK is 87.8 (12.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Payne County, OK?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,035/month) in Payne County, OK requires a minimum gross household income of $41,400 per year ($3,450 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Payne County, OK?

For a typical household earning the median income of $49,809/year ($4,151/month) in Payne County, OK, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,075/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,245/month to discretionary spending, and $830/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Payne County, OK?

Residential electricity rates in Oklahoma average 14.3¢ 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 $129 per month.