Montana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Powder River County, MT

The median household in Powder River County, MT earns $67,045 a year ($5,587/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,025/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $41,000 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$67,045$5,587 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,025HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.6-5.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential MT
Census Population1,815Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Powder River County, MT

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,025Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$41,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,676At 30% of $67,045
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Powder River County, MT

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Powder River County, MT. 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 Powder River County, MT
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$768$9,216$30,72013.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$800$9,600$32,00014.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,025$12,300$41,00018.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,426$17,112$57,04025.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,657$19,884$66,28029.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Powder River County, MT →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Powder River County, MT

Based on the local median household income of $67,045/year ($5,587/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,794/moRent ($1,025 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,676/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,117/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana

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

$67,045
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$67,045
Net 80%
Fed 9%
MT 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,569After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,464Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,060Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,920 / yr
Montana state income tax$2,427 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,129 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Powder River County, MT

What is the median household income in Powder River County, MT?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Powder River County, MT is $67,045 per year (approximately $5,587 per month).

What is the average rent in Powder River County, MT?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Powder River County, MT are $768 for a studio, $800 for 1 bedroom, $1,025 for 2 bedrooms, $1,426 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,657 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Powder River County, MT compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Powder River County, MT is 94.6 (5.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Powder River County, MT?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,025/month) in Powder River County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $41,000 per year ($3,417 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Powder River County, MT?

For a typical household earning the median income of $67,045/year ($5,587/month) in Powder River County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,794/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,676/month to discretionary spending, and $1,117/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Powder River County, MT?

Residential electricity rates in Montana average 15.1¢ 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 $136 per month.