Maine · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Piscataquis County, ME

The median household in Piscataquis County, ME earns $61,345 a year ($5,112/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,419/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $56,760 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$61,345$5,112 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,419HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.0-3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate29.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential ME
Census Population17,263Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Piscataquis County, ME

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,419Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,534At 30% of $61,345
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Piscataquis County, ME

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Piscataquis County, ME. 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 Piscataquis County, ME
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$978$11,736$39,12019.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,081$12,972$43,24021.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,419$17,028$56,76027.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,701$20,412$68,04033.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,879$22,548$75,16036.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Piscataquis County, ME →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Piscataquis County, ME

Based on the local median household income of $61,345/year ($5,112/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,556/moRent ($1,419 2-BR), utilities (~$266/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,534/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,022/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Maine

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

$61,345
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,345
Net 80%
Fed 8%
ME 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,008After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,084Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,885Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,181 / yr
Maine state income tax$2,463 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,693 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Piscataquis County, ME

What is the median household income in Piscataquis County, ME?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Piscataquis County, ME is $61,345 per year (approximately $5,112 per month).

What is the average rent in Piscataquis County, ME?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Piscataquis County, ME are $978 for a studio, $1,081 for 1 bedroom, $1,419 for 2 bedrooms, $1,701 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,879 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Piscataquis County, ME compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Piscataquis County, ME is 97.0 (3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Piscataquis County, ME?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,419/month) in Piscataquis County, ME requires a minimum gross household income of $56,760 per year ($4,730 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Piscataquis County, ME?

For a typical household earning the median income of $61,345/year ($5,112/month) in Piscataquis County, ME, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,556/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,534/month to discretionary spending, and $1,022/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Piscataquis County, ME?

Residential electricity rates in Maine average 29.6¢ 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 $266 per month.