Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$61,098$5,092 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Riley County, KS
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Riley County, KS
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Manhattan, KS 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 | $870 | $10,440 | $34,800 | 17.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $875 | $10,500 | $35,000 | 17.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,068 | $12,816 | $42,720 | 21% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,485 | $17,820 | $59,400 | 29.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,792 | $21,504 | $71,680 | 35.2% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Riley County, KS
Based on the local median household income of $61,098/year ($5,092/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kansas
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Kansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Kansas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Riley County, KS
What is the median household income in Riley County, KS?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Riley County, KS is $61,098 per year (approximately $5,092 per month).
What is the average rent in Riley County, KS?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Riley County, KS are $870 for a studio, $875 for 1 bedroom, $1,068 for 2 bedrooms, $1,485 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,792 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Riley County, KS compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Riley County, KS is 90.2 (9.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Riley County, KS?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,068/month) in Riley County, KS requires a minimum gross household income of $42,720 per year ($3,560 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Riley County, KS?
For a typical household earning the median income of $61,098/year ($5,092/month) in Riley County, KS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,546/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,527/month to discretionary spending, and $1,018/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Riley County, KS?
Residential electricity rates in Kansas average 15.7¢ 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 $141 per month.