Indiana · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in St. Joseph County, IN

Prices around St. Joseph County, IN run 7.1% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $66,868 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,292 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $51,680 a year.

St. Joseph County, IN at a glance

Median household income

$66,868$5,572 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,292HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)92.9-7.1% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential IN
Population273,040Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in St. Joseph County, IN?

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$1,292Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$51,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,672At 30% of $66,868
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in St. Joseph County, IN? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for South Bend-Mishawaka, IN HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in St. Joseph County, IN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$898$10,776$35,92016.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,105$13,260$44,20019.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,292$15,504$51,68023.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,567$18,804$62,68028.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,711$20,532$68,44030.7%

Rent in St. Joseph County, IN, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in St. Joseph County, IN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $66,868 a year ($5,572 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,786/moRent ($1,292 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,672/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,114/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $66,868 leaves after Indiana taxes

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

$66,868
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,868
Net 81%
Fed 9%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,929After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,494Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,074Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,881 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,943 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,115 / yr

Living in St. Joseph County, IN: common questions

What is the median household income in St. Joseph County, IN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Joseph County, IN is $66,868 per year (approximately $5,572 per month).

What is the average rent in St. Joseph County, IN?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $898 for a studio, $1,105 for one bedroom, $1,292 for two, $1,567 for three and $1,711 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 St. Joseph County, IN expensive to live in?

Prices there run 7.1% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 92.9, 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 St. Joseph County, IN?

To keep a $1,292 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $51,680 a year, or $4,307 a month. That is 77% of what the typical household in St. Joseph County, IN earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in St. Joseph County, IN?

On the local median income of $66,868 ($5,572 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,786 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,672 for everything else and $1,114 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,292 takes 46% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in St. Joseph County, IN?

Homes in Indiana paid 17.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $158. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.