Illinois · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Hardin County, IL

Prices around Hardin County, IL run about the same as the U.S. average (BEA, Illinois). The typical household there earns $54,271 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $916 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $36,640 a year.

Hardin County, IL at a glance

Median household income

$54,271$4,523 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$916HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)100.0+0% · BEA, Illinois
Electricity19.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IL
Population3,605Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Hardin County, IL?

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$916Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,357At 30% of $54,271
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Hardin County, IL? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Hardin County, IL, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Hardin County, IL, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$632$7,584$25,28014%
1-Bedroom Apartment$698$8,376$27,92015.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$916$10,992$36,64020.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,098$13,176$43,92024.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,308$15,696$52,32028.9%

Rent in Hardin County, IL, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Hardin County, IL

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $54,271 a year ($4,523 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,261/moRent ($916 2-BR), utilities (~$179/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,357/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$905/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $54,271 leaves after Illinois taxes

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

$54,271
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,271
Net 80%
Fed 8%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,245After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,604Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,663Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,333 / yr
Illinois state income tax$2,542 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,152 / yr

Living in Hardin County, IL: common questions

What is the median household income in Hardin County, IL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hardin County, IL is $54,271 per year (approximately $4,523 per month).

What is the average rent in Hardin County, IL?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $632 for a studio, $698 for one bedroom, $916 for two, $1,098 for three and $1,308 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 Hardin County, IL expensive to live in?

Prices there run about the same as the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Illinois is 100.0, 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 Hardin County, IL?

To keep a $916 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $36,640 a year, or $3,053 a month. That is 68% of what the typical household in Hardin County, IL earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Hardin County, IL?

On the local median income of $54,271 ($4,523 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,261 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,357 for everything else and $905 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $916 takes 41% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Hardin County, IL?

Homes in Illinois paid 19.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $179. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.