Oregon · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Wasco County, OR

The median household in Wasco County, OR earns $64,175 a year ($5,348/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,600/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $64,000 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.4% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$64,175$5,348 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,600HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)103.4+3.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential OR
Census Population26,552Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Wasco County, OR

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,600Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$64,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,604At 30% of $64,175
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wasco County, OR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wasco County, OR. 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 Wasco County, OR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,281$15,372$51,24024%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,289$15,468$51,56024.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,600$19,200$64,00029.9%
3-Bedroom Home$2,225$26,700$89,00041.6%
4-Bedroom Home$2,589$31,068$103,56048.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Wasco County, OR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Wasco County, OR

Based on the local median household income of $64,175/year ($5,348/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,674/moRent ($1,600 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,604/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 103.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,070/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Oregon

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

$64,175
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,175
Net 77%
Fed 9%
OR 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,426After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,119Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,901Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,521 / yr
Oregon state income tax$4,318 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,909 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wasco County, OR

What is the median household income in Wasco County, OR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wasco County, OR is $64,175 per year (approximately $5,348 per month).

What is the average rent in Wasco County, OR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wasco County, OR are $1,281 for a studio, $1,289 for 1 bedroom, $1,600 for 2 bedrooms, $2,225 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,589 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Wasco County, OR compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wasco County, OR is 103.4 (3.4% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Wasco County, OR?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,600/month) in Wasco County, OR requires a minimum gross household income of $64,000 per year ($5,333 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Wasco County, OR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $64,175/year ($5,348/month) in Wasco County, OR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,674/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,604/month to discretionary spending, and $1,070/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wasco County, OR?

Residential electricity rates in Oregon average 16.3¢ 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.