Pennsylvania · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Butler County, PA

Prices around Butler County, PA run 5.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $89,843 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,299 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $51,960 a year.

Butler County, PA at a glance

Median household income

$89,843$7,487 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,299HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)94.7-5.3% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity21.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential PA
Population197,254Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Butler County, PA?

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$1,299Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$51,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,246At 30% of $89,843
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Butler County, PA? By bedroom, 2026

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Butler County, PA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,001$12,012$40,04013.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,077$12,924$43,08014.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,299$15,588$51,96017.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,661$19,932$66,44022.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,789$21,468$71,56023.9%

Rent in Butler County, PA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Butler County, PA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $89,843 a year ($7,487 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,743/moRent ($1,299 2-BR), utilities (~$196/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,246/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,497/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $89,843 leaves after Pennsylvania taxes

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

$89,843
$35,000$180,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$89,843
Net 77%
Fed 12%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$69,276After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,773Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,664Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,935 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$2,758 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,873 / yr

Living in Butler County, PA: common questions

What is the median household income in Butler County, PA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Butler County, PA is $89,843 per year (approximately $7,487 per month).

What is the average rent in Butler County, PA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,001 for a studio, $1,077 for one bedroom, $1,299 for two, $1,661 for three and $1,789 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 Butler County, PA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5.3% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 94.7, 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 Butler County, PA?

To keep a $1,299 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $51,960 a year, or $4,330 a month. That is 58% of what the typical household in Butler County, PA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Butler County, PA?

On the local median income of $89,843 ($7,487 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,743 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,246 for everything else and $1,497 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,299 takes 35% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Butler County, PA?

Homes in Pennsylvania paid 21.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $196. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.