Arkansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Phillips County, AR

The median household in Phillips County, AR earns $40,134 a year ($3,345/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $880/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $35,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$40,134$3,345 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$880HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)86.9-13.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential AR
Census Population15,450Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Phillips County, AR

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$880Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,003At 30% of $40,134
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Phillips County, AR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Phillips County, AR. 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 Phillips County, AR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$630$7,560$25,20018.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$671$8,052$26,84020.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$880$10,560$35,20026.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,224$14,688$48,96036.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,407$16,884$56,28042.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Phillips County, AR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Phillips County, AR

Based on the local median household income of $40,134/year ($3,345/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,672/moRent ($880 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,003/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 86.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$669/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$40,134
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$40,134
Net 83%
Fed 7%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,408After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,784Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,285Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,636 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$1,020 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,070 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Phillips County, AR

What is the median household income in Phillips County, AR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Phillips County, AR is $40,134 per year (approximately $3,345 per month).

What is the average rent in Phillips County, AR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Phillips County, AR are $630 for a studio, $671 for 1 bedroom, $880 for 2 bedrooms, $1,224 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,407 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Phillips County, AR compare to the national average?

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($880/month) in Phillips 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 Phillips County, AR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $40,134/year ($3,345/month) in Phillips County, AR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,672/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,003/month to discretionary spending, and $669/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Phillips 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.