Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$42,165$3,514 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Washington County, MS
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Washington County, MS
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Washington County, MS. 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 | $648 | $7,776 | $25,920 | 18.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $768 | $9,216 | $30,720 | 21.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $842 | $10,104 | $33,680 | 24% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,177 | $14,124 | $47,080 | 33.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,412 | $16,944 | $56,480 | 40.2% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Washington County, MS
Based on the local median household income of $42,165/year ($3,514/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Mississippi
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Mississippi state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Mississippi with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Washington County, MS
What is the median household income in Washington County, MS?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington County, MS is $42,165 per year (approximately $3,514 per month).
What is the average rent in Washington County, MS?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Washington County, MS are $648 for a studio, $768 for 1 bedroom, $842 for 2 bedrooms, $1,177 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,412 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Washington County, MS compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Washington County, MS is 87.0 (13% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Washington County, MS?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($842/month) in Washington County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $33,680 per year ($2,807 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Washington County, MS?
For a typical household earning the median income of $42,165/year ($3,514/month) in Washington County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,757/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,054/month to discretionary spending, and $703/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Washington County, MS?
Residential electricity rates in Mississippi 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.