Ohio · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Ross County, OH

The median household in Ross County, OH earns $61,303 a year ($5,109/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,057/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$61,303$5,109 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,057HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.8-7.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential OH
Census Population76,492Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Ross County, OH

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,057Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,533At 30% of $61,303
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Ross County, OH

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Ross County, OH. 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 Ross County, OH
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$785$9,420$31,40015.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$882$10,584$35,28017.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,057$12,684$42,28020.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,335$16,020$53,40026.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,399$16,788$55,96027.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Ross County, OH →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Ross County, OH

Based on the local median household income of $61,303/year ($5,109/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,554/moRent ($1,057 2-BR), utilities (~$173/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,533/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,022/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Ohio

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

$61,303
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,303
Net 82%
Fed 8%
OH 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$50,195After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,183Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,931Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,176 / yr
Ohio state income tax$1,242 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,690 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Ross County, OH

What is the median household income in Ross County, OH?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Ross County, OH is $61,303 per year (approximately $5,109 per month).

What is the average rent in Ross County, OH?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Ross County, OH are $785 for a studio, $882 for 1 bedroom, $1,057 for 2 bedrooms, $1,335 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,399 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Ross County, OH compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Ross County, OH is 92.8 (7.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Ross County, OH?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,057/month) in Ross County, OH requires a minimum gross household income of $42,280 per year ($3,523 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Ross County, OH?

For a typical household earning the median income of $61,303/year ($5,109/month) in Ross County, OH, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,554/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,533/month to discretionary spending, and $1,022/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Ross County, OH?

Residential electricity rates in Ohio average 19.2¢ 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 $173 per month.