Georgia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Whitfield County, GA

The median household in Whitfield County, GA earns $67,070 a year ($5,589/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,121/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $44,840 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$67,070$5,589 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,121HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.8-10.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential GA
Census Population103,598Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Whitfield County, GA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,121Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$44,840To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,677At 30% of $67,070
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Whitfield County, GA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Dalton, GA HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Whitfield County, GA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$776$9,312$31,04013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$899$10,788$35,96016.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,121$13,452$44,84020.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,461$17,532$58,44026.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,876$22,512$75,04033.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Whitfield County, GA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Whitfield County, GA

Based on the local median household income of $67,070/year ($5,589/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,795/moRent ($1,121 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,677/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,118/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Georgia

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

$67,070
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$67,070
Net 80%
Fed 9%
GA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,415After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,451Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,054Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,925 / yr
Georgia state income tax$2,598 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,131 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Whitfield County, GA

What is the median household income in Whitfield County, GA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Whitfield County, GA is $67,070 per year (approximately $5,589 per month).

What is the average rent in Whitfield County, GA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Whitfield County, GA are $776 for a studio, $899 for 1 bedroom, $1,121 for 2 bedrooms, $1,461 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,876 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Whitfield County, GA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Whitfield County, GA is 89.8 (10.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Whitfield County, GA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,121/month) in Whitfield County, GA requires a minimum gross household income of $44,840 per year ($3,737 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Whitfield County, GA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $67,070/year ($5,589/month) in Whitfield County, GA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,795/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,677/month to discretionary spending, and $1,118/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Whitfield County, GA?

Residential electricity rates in Georgia average 16.4¢ 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.