Montana · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Jefferson County, MT

Prices around Jefferson County, MT run 4.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $95,490 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,404 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $56,160 a year.

Jefferson County, MT at a glance

Median household income

$95,490$7,958 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,404HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)95.7-4.3% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential MT
Population12,774Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Jefferson County, MT?

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$1,404Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,387At 30% of $95,490
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Jefferson County, MT? By bedroom, 2026

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Jefferson County, MT, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$968$11,616$38,72012.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,070$12,840$42,80013.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,404$16,848$56,16017.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,946$23,352$77,84024.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,954$23,448$78,16024.6%

Rent in Jefferson County, MT, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Jefferson County, MT

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $95,490 a year ($7,958 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,979/moRent ($1,404 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,387/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,592/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $95,490 leaves after Montana taxes

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

$95,490
$35,000$195,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$95,490
Net 75%
Fed 13%
MT 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$71,973After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,998Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,768Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate24.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,178 / yr
Montana state income tax$4,034 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,305 / yr

Living in Jefferson County, MT: common questions

What is the median household income in Jefferson County, MT?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jefferson County, MT is $95,490 per year (approximately $7,958 per month).

What is the average rent in Jefferson County, MT?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $968 for a studio, $1,070 for one bedroom, $1,404 for two, $1,946 for three and $1,954 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 Jefferson County, MT expensive to live in?

Prices there run 4.3% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 95.7, 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 Jefferson County, MT?

To keep a $1,404 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $56,160 a year, or $4,680 a month. That is 59% of what the typical household in Jefferson County, MT earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Jefferson County, MT?

On the local median income of $95,490 ($7,958 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,979 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,387 for everything else and $1,592 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,404 takes 35% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Jefferson County, MT?

Homes in Montana paid 15.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $136. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.