California · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Plumas County, CA

The median household in Plumas County, CA earns $66,031 a year ($5,503/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,411/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $56,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.7% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$66,031$5,503 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,411HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)110.7+10.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate34.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential CA
Census Population19,423Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Plumas County, CA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,411Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,651At 30% of $66,031
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Plumas County, CA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Plumas County, CA. 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 Plumas County, CA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$973$11,676$38,92017.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,075$12,900$43,00019.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,411$16,932$56,44025.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,962$23,544$78,48035.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,995$23,940$79,80036.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Plumas County, CA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Plumas County, CA

Based on the local median household income of $66,031/year ($5,503/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,751/moRent ($1,411 2-BR), utilities (~$313/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,651/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 110.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,101/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in California

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

$66,031
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,031
Net 81%
Fed 9%
CA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,179After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,432Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,045Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,744 / yr
California state income tax$2,057 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,051 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Plumas County, CA

What is the median household income in Plumas County, CA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Plumas County, CA is $66,031 per year (approximately $5,503 per month).

What is the average rent in Plumas County, CA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Plumas County, CA are $973 for a studio, $1,075 for 1 bedroom, $1,411 for 2 bedrooms, $1,962 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,995 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Plumas County, CA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Plumas County, CA is 110.7 (10.7% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Plumas County, CA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,411/month) in Plumas County, CA requires a minimum gross household income of $56,440 per year ($4,703 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Plumas County, CA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $66,031/year ($5,503/month) in Plumas County, CA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,751/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,651/month to discretionary spending, and $1,101/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Plumas County, CA?

Residential electricity rates in California average 34.7¢ 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 $313 per month.