New York · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Wayne County, NY

The median household in Wayne County, NY earns $74,506 a year ($6,209/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,573/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $62,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$74,506$6,209 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,573HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.0-3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate29.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential NY
Census Population90,929Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,573Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$62,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,863At 30% of $74,506
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wayne County, NY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Rochester, NY MSA. 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, NY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,116$13,392$44,64018%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,256$15,072$50,24020.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,573$18,876$62,92025.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,895$22,740$75,80030.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,083$24,996$83,32033.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Wayne County, NY →

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

Based on the local median household income of $74,506/year ($6,209/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,104/moRent ($1,573 2-BR), utilities (~$265/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,863/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,242/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in New York

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

$74,506
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$74,506
Net 78%
Fed 10%
NY 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,818After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,818Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,224Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,561 / yr
New York state income tax$3,427 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,700 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across New York with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wayne County, NY

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wayne County, NY is $74,506 per year (approximately $6,209 per month).

What is the average rent in Wayne County, NY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wayne County, NY are $1,116 for a studio, $1,256 for 1 bedroom, $1,573 for 2 bedrooms, $1,895 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,083 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wayne County, NY is 97.0 (3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,573/month) in Wayne County, NY requires a minimum gross household income of $62,920 per year ($5,243 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $74,506/year ($6,209/month) in Wayne County, NY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,104/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,863/month to discretionary spending, and $1,242/month to savings and debt repayment.

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

Residential electricity rates in New York average 29.5¢ 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 $265 per month.