Indiana · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Wayne County, IN

The median household in Wayne County, IN earns $55,692 a year ($4,641/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $956/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$55,692$4,641 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$956HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.3-6.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential IN
Census Population66,397Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Wayne County, IN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$956Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,392At 30% of $55,692
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wayne County, IN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wayne County, IN. 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 Wayne County, IN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$724$8,688$28,96015.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$729$8,748$29,16015.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$956$11,472$38,24020.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,191$14,292$47,64025.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,266$15,192$50,64027.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Wayne County, IN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Wayne County, IN

Based on the local median household income of $55,692/year ($4,641/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,321/moRent ($956 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,392/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$928/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Indiana

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

$55,692
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$55,692
Net 81%
Fed 8%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,315After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,776Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,743Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,503 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,613 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,260 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wayne County, IN

What is the median household income in Wayne County, IN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wayne County, IN is $55,692 per year (approximately $4,641 per month).

What is the average rent in Wayne County, IN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wayne County, IN are $724 for a studio, $729 for 1 bedroom, $956 for 2 bedrooms, $1,191 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,266 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Wayne County, IN compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wayne County, IN is 93.3 (6.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Wayne County, IN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($956/month) in Wayne County, IN requires a minimum gross household income of $38,240 per year ($3,187 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Wayne County, IN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $55,692/year ($4,641/month) in Wayne County, IN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,321/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,392/month to discretionary spending, and $928/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wayne County, IN?

Residential electricity rates in Indiana average 17.5¢ 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 $158 per month.