Colorado · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Rio Blanco County, CO

The median household in Rio Blanco County, CO earns $65,473 a year ($5,456/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,009/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$65,473$5,456 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,009HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)103.1+3.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential CO
Census Population6,544Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Rio Blanco County, CO

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,009Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,637At 30% of $65,473
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Rio Blanco County, CO

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Rio Blanco County, CO. 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 Rio Blanco County, CO
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$764$9,168$30,56014%
1-Bedroom Apartment$769$9,228$30,76014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,009$12,108$40,36018.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,285$15,420$51,40023.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,582$18,984$63,28029%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Rio Blanco County, CO →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Rio Blanco County, CO

Based on the local median household income of $65,473/year ($5,456/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,728/moRent ($1,009 2-BR), utilities (~$154/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,637/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 103.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,091/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Colorado

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

$65,473
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$65,473
Net 80%
Fed 9%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,615After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,385Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,024Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,677 / yr
Colorado state income tax$2,172 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,009 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Rio Blanco County, CO

What is the median household income in Rio Blanco County, CO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rio Blanco County, CO is $65,473 per year (approximately $5,456 per month).

What is the average rent in Rio Blanco County, CO?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Rio Blanco County, CO are $764 for a studio, $769 for 1 bedroom, $1,009 for 2 bedrooms, $1,285 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,582 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Rio Blanco County, CO compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Rio Blanco County, CO is 103.1 (3.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Rio Blanco County, CO?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,009/month) in Rio Blanco County, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $40,360 per year ($3,363 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Rio Blanco County, CO?

For a typical household earning the median income of $65,473/year ($5,456/month) in Rio Blanco County, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,728/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,637/month to discretionary spending, and $1,091/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Rio Blanco County, CO?

Residential electricity rates in Colorado average 17.1¢ 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 $154 per month.