Georgia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Rockdale County, GA

The median household in Rockdale County, GA earns $77,247 a year ($6,437/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,820/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $72,800 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$77,247$6,437 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,820HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)100.1+0.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential GA
Census Population95,281Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Rockdale County, GA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,820Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$72,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,931At 30% of $77,247
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Rockdale County, GA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 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.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Rockdale County, GA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,585$19,020$63,40024.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,660$19,920$66,40025.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,820$21,840$72,80028.3%
3-Bedroom Home$2,182$26,184$87,28033.9%
4-Bedroom Home$2,605$31,260$104,20040.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Rockdale County, GA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Rockdale County, GA

Based on the local median household income of $77,247/year ($6,437/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,219/moRent ($1,820 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,931/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 100.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,287/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Georgia

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

$77,247
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$77,247
Net 78%
Fed 11%
GA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,067After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,006Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,310Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,164 / yr
Georgia state income tax$3,106 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,909 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Rockdale County, GA

What is the median household income in Rockdale County, GA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rockdale County, GA is $77,247 per year (approximately $6,437 per month).

What is the average rent in Rockdale County, GA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Rockdale County, GA are $1,585 for a studio, $1,660 for 1 bedroom, $1,820 for 2 bedrooms, $2,182 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,605 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Rockdale County, GA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Rockdale County, GA is 100.1 (0.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Rockdale County, GA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,820/month) in Rockdale County, GA requires a minimum gross household income of $72,800 per year ($6,067 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Rockdale County, GA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $77,247/year ($6,437/month) in Rockdale County, GA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,219/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,931/month to discretionary spending, and $1,287/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Rockdale County, GA?

Residential electricity rates in Georgia average 16.4¢ 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 $147 per month.