Colorado · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in San Miguel County, CO

The median household in San Miguel County, CO earns $79,024 a year ($6,585/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,645/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $65,800 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$79,024$6,585 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,645HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)103.1+3.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential CO
Census Population7,968Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in San Miguel County, CO

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,645Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$65,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,976At 30% of $79,024
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: San Miguel County, CO

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for San Miguel 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 San Miguel County, CO
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,245$14,940$49,80018.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,254$15,048$50,16019%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,645$19,740$65,80025%
3-Bedroom Home$2,288$27,456$91,52034.7%
4-Bedroom Home$2,579$30,948$103,16039.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for San Miguel County, CO →

50/30/20 Living Budget in San Miguel County, CO

Based on the local median household income of $79,024/year ($6,585/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,293/moRent ($1,645 2-BR), utilities (~$154/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,976/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 103.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,317/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.

$79,024
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$79,024
Net 78%
Fed 11%
CO 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$61,655After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,138Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,371Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,555 / yr
Colorado state income tax$2,769 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,045 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in San Miguel County, CO

What is the median household income in San Miguel County, CO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in San Miguel County, CO is $79,024 per year (approximately $6,585 per month).

What is the average rent in San Miguel County, CO?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in San Miguel County, CO are $1,245 for a studio, $1,254 for 1 bedroom, $1,645 for 2 bedrooms, $2,288 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,579 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in San Miguel County, CO compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in San Miguel 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 San Miguel County, CO?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,645/month) in San Miguel County, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $65,800 per year ($5,483 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in San Miguel County, CO?

For a typical household earning the median income of $79,024/year ($6,585/month) in San Miguel County, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,293/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,976/month to discretionary spending, and $1,317/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in San Miguel 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.