Georgia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Stephens County, GA

The median household in Stephens County, GA earns $54,754 a year ($4,563/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,006/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$54,754$4,563 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,006HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)96.3-3.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential GA
Census Population27,012Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,006Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,369At 30% of $54,754
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Stephens County, GA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Stephens County, GA. 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 Stephens County, GA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$762$9,144$30,48016.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$767$9,204$30,68016.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,006$12,072$40,24022%
3-Bedroom Home$1,275$15,300$51,00027.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,688$20,256$67,52037%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Stephens County, GA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $54,754/year ($4,563/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,281/moRent ($1,006 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,369/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 96.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$913/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.

$54,754
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,754
Net 81%
Fed 8%
GA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,191After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,683Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,700Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,390 / yr
Georgia state income tax$1,984 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,189 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Stephens County, GA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Stephens County, GA is $54,754 per year (approximately $4,563 per month).

What is the average rent in Stephens County, GA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Stephens County, GA are $762 for a studio, $767 for 1 bedroom, $1,006 for 2 bedrooms, $1,275 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,688 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Stephens County, GA is 96.3 (3.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,006/month) in Stephens County, GA requires a minimum gross household income of $40,240 per year ($3,353 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $54,754/year ($4,563/month) in Stephens County, GA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,281/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,369/month to discretionary spending, and $913/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Stephens 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.