Montana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Stillwater County, MT

The median household in Stillwater County, MT earns $84,732 a year ($7,061/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,257/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $50,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$84,732$7,061 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,257HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.5-6.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential MT
Census Population9,182Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,257Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,118At 30% of $84,732
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Stillwater County, MT

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Stillwater County, MT HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Stillwater County, MT
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$884$10,608$35,36012.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$958$11,496$38,32013.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,257$15,084$50,28017.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,748$20,976$69,92024.8%
4-Bedroom Home$2,109$25,308$84,36029.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Stillwater County, MT →

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

Based on the local median household income of $84,732/year ($7,061/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,531/moRent ($1,257 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,118/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,412/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.

$84,732
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$84,732
Net 77%
Fed 12%
MT 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$65,013After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,418Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,500Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,811 / yr
Montana state income tax$3,426 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,482 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Stillwater County, MT

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Stillwater County, MT is $84,732 per year (approximately $7,061 per month).

What is the average rent in Stillwater County, MT?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Stillwater County, MT are $884 for a studio, $958 for 1 bedroom, $1,257 for 2 bedrooms, $1,748 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,109 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Stillwater County, MT is 93.5 (6.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,257/month) in Stillwater County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $50,280 per year ($4,190 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $84,732/year ($7,061/month) in Stillwater County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,531/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,118/month to discretionary spending, and $1,412/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Stillwater 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.