Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$70,656$5,888 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Yakima County, WA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Yakima County, WA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Yakima, WA MSA. 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 | $1,040 | $12,480 | $41,600 | 17.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,047 | $12,564 | $41,880 | 17.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,374 | $16,488 | $54,960 | 23.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,911 | $22,932 | $76,440 | 32.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,093 | $25,116 | $83,720 | 35.5% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Yakima County, WA
Based on the local median household income of $70,656/year ($5,888/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Washington
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Washington state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Washington with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Yakima County, WA
What is the median household income in Yakima County, WA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Yakima County, WA is $70,656 per year (approximately $5,888 per month).
What is the average rent in Yakima County, WA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Yakima County, WA are $1,040 for a studio, $1,047 for 1 bedroom, $1,374 for 2 bedrooms, $1,911 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,093 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Yakima County, WA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Yakima County, WA is 95.5 (4.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Yakima County, WA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,374/month) in Yakima County, WA requires a minimum gross household income of $54,960 per year ($4,580 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Yakima County, WA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $70,656/year ($5,888/month) in Yakima County, WA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,944/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,766/month to discretionary spending, and $1,178/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Yakima County, WA?
Residential electricity rates in Washington 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.