Florida · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Monroe County, FL

Prices around Monroe County, FL run 3.4% above the U.S. average (BEA, Florida). The typical household there earns $87,738 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,504 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $100,160 a year.

Monroe County, FL at a glance

Median household income

$87,738$7,312 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,504HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)103.4+3.4% · BEA, Florida
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential FL
Population81,860Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Monroe County, FL?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,504Monthly market rent
Share of gross income34.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$100,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,193At 30% of $87,738
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Monroe County, FL? By bedroom, 2026

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Monroe County, FL, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,726$20,712$69,04023.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,211$26,532$88,44030.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,504$30,048$100,16034.2%
3-Bedroom Home$3,303$39,636$132,12045.2%
4-Bedroom Home$3,315$39,780$132,60045.3%

Rent in Monroe County, FL, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Monroe County, FL

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $87,738 a year ($7,312 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,656/moRent ($2,504 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,193/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,462/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $87,738 leaves after Florida taxes

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

$87,738
$35,000$180,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$87,738
Net 80%
Fed 12%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$70,554After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,879Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,714Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,472 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,712 / yr

Living in Monroe County, FL: common questions

What is the median household income in Monroe County, FL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Monroe County, FL is $87,738 per year (approximately $7,312 per month).

What is the average rent in Monroe County, FL?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,726 for a studio, $2,211 for one bedroom, $2,504 for two, $3,303 for three and $3,315 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 Monroe County, FL expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.4% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Florida is 103.4, 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 Monroe County, FL?

To keep a $2,504 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $100,160 a year, or $8,347 a month. That is 114% of what the typical household in Monroe County, FL earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Monroe County, FL?

On the local median income of $87,738 ($7,312 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,656 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,193 for everything else and $1,462 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,504 takes 68% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Monroe County, FL?

Homes in Florida 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.