Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$96,563$8,047 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Thurston County, WA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Thurston County, WA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,538 | $18,456 | $61,520 | 19.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,682 | $20,184 | $67,280 | 20.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,960 | $23,520 | $78,400 | 24.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,613 | $31,356 | $104,520 | 32.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,288 | $39,456 | $131,520 | 40.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Thurston County, WA
Based on the local median household income of $96,563/year ($8,047/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Washington
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Washington state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Washington with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Thurston County, WA
What is the median household income in Thurston County, WA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Thurston County, WA is $96,563 per year (approximately $8,047 per month).
What is the average rent in Thurston County, WA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Thurston County, WA are $1,538 for a studio, $1,682 for 1 bedroom, $1,960 for 2 bedrooms, $2,613 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,288 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Thurston County, WA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Thurston County, WA is 103.7 (3.7% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Thurston County, WA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,960/month) in Thurston County, WA requires a minimum gross household income of $78,400 per year ($6,533 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Thurston County, WA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $96,563/year ($8,047/month) in Thurston County, WA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,023/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,414/month to discretionary spending, and $1,609/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Thurston County, WA?
Residential electricity rates in Washington average 14.9¢ 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 $134 per month.