Indiana · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Benton County, IN

Prices around Benton County, IN run 6.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $65,875 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,242 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $49,680 a year.

Benton County, IN at a glance

Median household income

$65,875$5,490 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,242HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)93.4-6.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential IN
Population8,735Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Benton County, IN?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,242Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,647At 30% of $65,875
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Benton County, IN? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Benton County, IN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$894$10,728$35,76016.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,032$12,384$41,28018.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,242$14,904$49,68022.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,489$17,868$59,56027.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,992$23,904$79,68036.3%

Rent in Benton County, IN, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Benton County, IN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $65,875 a year ($5,490 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,745/moRent ($1,242 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,647/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,098/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $65,875 leaves after Indiana taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Indiana tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$65,875
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$65,875
Net 81%
Fed 9%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,197After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,433Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,046Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,725 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,914 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,039 / yr

Living in Benton County, IN: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Benton County, IN is $65,875 per year (approximately $5,490 per month).

What is the average rent in Benton County, IN?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $894 for a studio, $1,032 for one bedroom, $1,242 for two, $1,489 for three and $1,992 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Benton County, IN expensive to live in?

Prices there run 6.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 93.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

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

To keep a $1,242 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $49,680 a year, or $4,140 a month. That is 75% of what the typical household in Benton County, IN earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Benton County, IN?

On the local median income of $65,875 ($5,490 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,745 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,647 for everything else and $1,098 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,242 takes 45% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Benton County, IN?

Homes in Indiana paid 17.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $158. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.