Montana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Sheridan County, MT

The median household in Sheridan County, MT earns $70,147 a year ($5,846/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,211/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $48,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$70,147$5,846 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,211HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.6-5.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential MT
Census Population3,669Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Sheridan County, MT

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,211Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$48,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,754At 30% of $70,147
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Sheridan County, MT

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Sheridan County, MT. 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 Sheridan County, MT
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$908$10,896$36,32015.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$923$11,076$36,92015.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,211$14,532$48,44020.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,684$20,208$67,36028.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,809$21,708$72,36030.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Sheridan County, MT →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Sheridan County, MT

Based on the local median household income of $70,147/year ($5,846/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,923/moRent ($1,211 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,754/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,169/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana

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

$70,147
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,147
Net 79%
Fed 9%
MT 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,576After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,631Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,138Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,602 / yr
Montana state income tax$2,602 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,366 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Sheridan County, MT

What is the median household income in Sheridan County, MT?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Sheridan County, MT is $70,147 per year (approximately $5,846 per month).

What is the average rent in Sheridan County, MT?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Sheridan County, MT are $908 for a studio, $923 for 1 bedroom, $1,211 for 2 bedrooms, $1,684 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,809 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Sheridan County, MT compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Sheridan County, MT is 94.6 (5.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Sheridan County, MT?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,211/month) in Sheridan County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $48,440 per year ($4,037 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Sheridan County, MT?

For a typical household earning the median income of $70,147/year ($5,846/month) in Sheridan County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,923/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,754/month to discretionary spending, and $1,169/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Sheridan County, MT?

Residential electricity rates in Montana average 15.1¢ 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 $136 per month.