California · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Madera County, CA

Prices around Madera County, CA run 2.2% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $76,627 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,376 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $55,040 a year.

Madera County, CA at a glance

Median household income

$76,627$6,386 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,376HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)102.2+2.2% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity34.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential CA
Population160,940Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Madera County, CA?

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$1,376Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$55,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,916At 30% of $76,627
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Madera County, CA? By bedroom, 2026

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Madera County, CA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,055$12,660$42,20016.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,062$12,744$42,48016.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,376$16,512$55,04021.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,914$22,968$76,56030%
4-Bedroom Home$2,275$27,300$91,00035.6%

Rent in Madera County, CA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Madera County, CA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $76,627 a year ($6,386 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,193/moRent ($1,376 2-BR), utilities (~$313/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,916/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,277/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $76,627 leaves after California taxes

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

$76,627
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$76,627
Net 78%
Fed 10%
CA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$59,832After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,986Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,301Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,028 / yr
California state income tax$2,905 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,862 / yr

Living in Madera County, CA: common questions

What is the median household income in Madera County, CA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Madera County, CA is $76,627 per year (approximately $6,386 per month).

What is the average rent in Madera County, CA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,055 for a studio, $1,062 for one bedroom, $1,376 for two, $1,914 for three and $2,275 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 Madera County, CA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 2.2% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 102.2, 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 Madera County, CA?

To keep a $1,376 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $55,040 a year, or $4,587 a month. That is 72% of what the typical household in Madera County, CA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Madera County, CA?

On the local median income of $76,627 ($6,386 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,193 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,916 for everything else and $1,277 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,376 takes 43% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Madera County, CA?

Homes in California paid 34.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $313. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.