Iowa · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Woodbury County, IA

The median household in Woodbury County, IA earns $73,658 a year ($6,138/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,154/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $46,160 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,658$6,138 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,154HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)86.5-13.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IA
Census Population106,247Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Woodbury County, IA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,154Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$46,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,841At 30% of $73,658
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Woodbury County, IA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Sioux City, IA-NE-SD 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 Woodbury County, IA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$796$9,552$31,84013%
1-Bedroom Apartment$925$11,100$37,00015.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,154$13,848$46,16018.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,386$16,632$55,44022.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,528$18,336$61,12024.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Woodbury County, IA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Woodbury County, IA

Based on the local median household income of $73,658/year ($6,138/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,069/moRent ($1,154 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,841/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 86.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,228/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa

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

$73,658
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,658
Net 79%
Fed 10%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,501After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,875Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,250Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,375 / yr
Iowa state income tax$2,147 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,635 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Woodbury County, IA

What is the median household income in Woodbury County, IA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Woodbury County, IA is $73,658 per year (approximately $6,138 per month).

What is the average rent in Woodbury County, IA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Woodbury County, IA are $796 for a studio, $925 for 1 bedroom, $1,154 for 2 bedrooms, $1,386 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,528 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Woodbury County, IA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Woodbury County, IA is 86.5 (13.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Woodbury County, IA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,154/month) in Woodbury County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $46,160 per year ($3,847 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Woodbury County, IA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,658/year ($6,138/month) in Woodbury County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,069/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,841/month to discretionary spending, and $1,228/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Woodbury County, IA?

Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ 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 $143 per month.