Washington · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Franklin County, WA

Prices around Franklin County, WA run 0.1% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $86,714 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,538 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $61,520 a year.

Franklin County, WA at a glance

Median household income

$86,714$7,226 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,538HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)100.1+0.1% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential WA
Population98,902Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Franklin County, WA?

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$1,538Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$61,520To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,168At 30% of $86,714
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Franklin County, WA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Kennewick-Richland, WA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Franklin County, WA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,122$13,464$44,88015.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,268$15,216$50,72017.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,538$18,456$61,52021.3%
3-Bedroom Home$2,071$24,852$82,84028.7%
4-Bedroom Home$2,385$28,620$95,40033%

Rent in Franklin County, WA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Franklin County, WA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $86,714 a year ($7,226 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,613/moRent ($1,538 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,168/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,445/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $86,714 leaves after Washington taxes

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

$86,714
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$86,714
Net 81%
Fed 12%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$69,833After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,819Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,686Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,247 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,634 / yr

Living in Franklin County, WA: common questions

What is the median household income in Franklin County, WA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Franklin County, WA is $86,714 per year (approximately $7,226 per month).

What is the average rent in Franklin County, WA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,122 for a studio, $1,268 for one bedroom, $1,538 for two, $2,071 for three and $2,385 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 Franklin County, WA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 0.1% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 100.1, 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 Franklin County, WA?

To keep a $1,538 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $61,520 a year, or $5,127 a month. That is 71% of what the typical household in Franklin County, WA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Franklin County, WA?

On the local median income of $86,714 ($7,226 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,613 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,168 for everything else and $1,445 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,538 takes 43% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Franklin County, WA?

Homes in Washington paid 14.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $134. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.