Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$75,766$6,314 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Portage County, OH
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Portage County, OH
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Akron, OH MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $904 | $10,848 | $36,160 | 14.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $985 | $11,820 | $39,400 | 15.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,268 | $15,216 | $50,720 | 20.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,547 | $18,564 | $61,880 | 24.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,681 | $20,172 | $67,240 | 26.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Portage County, OH
Based on the local median household income of $75,766/year ($6,314/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Ohio
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Ohio state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Ohio with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Portage County, OH
What is the median household income in Portage County, OH?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Portage County, OH is $75,766 per year (approximately $6,314 per month).
What is the average rent in Portage County, OH?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Portage County, OH are $904 for a studio, $985 for 1 bedroom, $1,268 for 2 bedrooms, $1,547 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,681 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Portage County, OH compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Portage County, OH is 93.4 (6.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Portage County, OH?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,268/month) in Portage County, OH requires a minimum gross household income of $50,720 per year ($4,227 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Portage County, OH?
For a typical household earning the median income of $75,766/year ($6,314/month) in Portage County, OH, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,157/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,894/month to discretionary spending, and $1,263/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Portage County, OH?
Residential electricity rates in Ohio average 19.2¢ 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 $173 per month.