Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$55,534$4,628 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Rocky Mount, NC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Rocky Mount, NC
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Rocky Mount, NC MSA. 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 | $913 | $10,956 | $36,520 | 19.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $918 | $11,016 | $36,720 | 19.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,143 | $13,716 | $45,720 | 24.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,550 | $18,600 | $62,000 | 33.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,812 | $21,744 | $72,480 | 39.2% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Rocky Mount, NC
Based on the local median household income of $55,534/year ($4,628/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in North Carolina
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across North Carolina with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Rocky Mount, NC
What is the median household income in Rocky Mount, NC?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rocky Mount, NC is $55,534 per year (approximately $4,628 per month).
What is the average rent in Rocky Mount, NC?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Rocky Mount, NC are $913 for a studio, $918 for 1 bedroom, $1,143 for 2 bedrooms, $1,550 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,812 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Rocky Mount, NC compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Rocky Mount, NC is 88.0 (12% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Rocky Mount, NC?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,143/month) in Rocky Mount, NC requires a minimum gross household income of $45,720 per year ($3,810 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Rocky Mount, NC?
For a typical household earning the median income of $55,534/year ($4,628/month) in Rocky Mount, NC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,314/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,388/month to discretionary spending, and $926/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Rocky Mount, NC?
Residential electricity rates in North Carolina average 14.7¢ 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 $133 per month.