Georgia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Polk County, GA

Prices around Polk County, GA run 3.7% below the U.S. average (BEA, Georgia). The typical household there earns $58,515 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,018 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $40,720 a year.

Polk County, GA at a glance

Median household income

$58,515$4,876 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,018HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)96.3-3.7% · BEA, Georgia
Electricity16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential GA
Population43,785Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Polk County, GA?

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$1,018Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,463At 30% of $58,515
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Polk County, GA? By bedroom, 2026

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Polk County, GA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$771$9,252$30,84015.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$776$9,312$31,04015.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,018$12,216$40,72020.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,290$15,480$51,60026.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,348$16,176$53,92027.6%

Rent in Polk County, GA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Polk County, GA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $58,515 a year ($4,876 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,438/moRent ($1,018 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,463/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$975/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $58,515 leaves after Georgia taxes

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

$58,515
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$58,515
Net 80%
Fed 8%
GA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$47,025After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,919Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,809Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,842 / yr
Georgia state income tax$2,171 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,476 / yr

Living in Polk County, GA: common questions

What is the median household income in Polk County, GA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Polk County, GA is $58,515 per year (approximately $4,876 per month).

What is the average rent in Polk County, GA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $771 for a studio, $776 for one bedroom, $1,018 for two, $1,290 for three and $1,348 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 Polk County, GA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.7% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Georgia is 96.3, 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 Polk County, GA?

To keep a $1,018 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $40,720 a year, or $3,393 a month. That is 70% of what the typical household in Polk County, GA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Polk County, GA?

On the local median income of $58,515 ($4,876 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,438 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,463 for everything else and $975 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,018 takes 42% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Polk County, GA?

Homes in Georgia paid 16.4¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $147. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.