Pennsylvania · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Union County, PA

The median household in Union County, PA earns $76,404 a year ($6,367/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,001/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,040 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$76,404$6,367 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,001HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.6-2.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate21.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential PA
Census Population42,456Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Union County, PA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,001Monthly market rent
Share of gross income15.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,910At 30% of $76,404
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Union County, PA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Union County, PA. 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 Union County, PA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$728$8,736$29,12011.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$913$10,956$36,52014.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,001$12,012$40,04015.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,392$16,704$55,68021.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,679$20,148$67,16026.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Union County, PA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Union County, PA

Based on the local median household income of $76,404/year ($6,367/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,184/moRent ($1,001 2-BR), utilities (~$196/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,910/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,273/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Pennsylvania

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

$76,404
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$76,404
Net 79%
Fed 10%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,235After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,020Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,317Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,979 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$2,346 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,845 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Union County, PA

What is the median household income in Union County, PA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Union County, PA is $76,404 per year (approximately $6,367 per month).

What is the average rent in Union County, PA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Union County, PA are $728 for a studio, $913 for 1 bedroom, $1,001 for 2 bedrooms, $1,392 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,679 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Union County, PA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Union County, PA is 97.6 (2.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Union County, PA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,001/month) in Union County, PA requires a minimum gross household income of $40,040 per year ($3,337 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Union County, PA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $76,404/year ($6,367/month) in Union County, PA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,184/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,910/month to discretionary spending, and $1,273/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Union County, PA?

Residential electricity rates in Pennsylvania average 21.7¢ 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 $196 per month.