Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$73,602$6,134 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Pottawattamie County, IA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Pottawattamie County, IA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 | $1,090 | $13,080 | $43,600 | 17.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,148 | $13,776 | $45,920 | 18.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,368 | $16,416 | $54,720 | 22.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,813 | $21,756 | $72,520 | 29.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,046 | $24,552 | $81,840 | 33.4% |
See dedicated rental breakdown for Pottawattamie County, IA →
50/30/20 Living Budget in Pottawattamie County, IA
Based on the local median household income of $73,602/year ($6,134/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Iowa state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Iowa with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Pottawattamie County, IA
What is the median household income in Pottawattamie County, IA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Pottawattamie County, IA is $73,602 per year (approximately $6,134 per month).
What is the average rent in Pottawattamie County, IA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Pottawattamie County, IA are $1,090 for a studio, $1,148 for 1 bedroom, $1,368 for 2 bedrooms, $1,813 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,046 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Pottawattamie County, IA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Pottawattamie County, IA is 91.9 (8.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Pottawattamie County, IA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,368/month) in Pottawattamie County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $54,720 per year ($4,560 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Pottawattamie County, IA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $73,602/year ($6,134/month) in Pottawattamie County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,067/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,840/month to discretionary spending, and $1,227/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Pottawattamie County, IA?
Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ 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 $143 per month.