Arkansas · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Washington County, AR

Prices around Washington County, AR run 8.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $70,639 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,347 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $53,880 a year.

Washington County, AR at a glance

Median household income

$70,639$5,887 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,347HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)91.4-8.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential AR
Population256,765Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Washington County, AR?

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$1,347Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,766At 30% of $70,639
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Washington County, AR? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Washington County, AR, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,007$12,084$40,28017.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,115$13,380$44,60018.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,347$16,164$53,88022.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,873$22,476$74,92031.8%
4-Bedroom Home$2,213$26,556$88,52037.6%

Rent in Washington County, AR, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Washington County, AR

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $70,639 a year ($5,887 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,943/moRent ($1,347 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,766/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,177/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $70,639 leaves after Arkansas taxes

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

$70,639
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,639
Net 80%
Fed 9%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$56,315After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,693Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,166Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,711 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$2,210 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,404 / yr

Living in Washington County, AR: common questions

What is the median household income in Washington County, AR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington County, AR is $70,639 per year (approximately $5,887 per month).

What is the average rent in Washington County, AR?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,007 for a studio, $1,115 for one bedroom, $1,347 for two, $1,873 for three and $2,213 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 Washington County, AR expensive to live in?

Prices there run 8.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 91.4, 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 Washington County, AR?

To keep a $1,347 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $53,880 a year, or $4,490 a month. That is 76% of what the typical household in Washington County, AR earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Washington County, AR?

On the local median income of $70,639 ($5,887 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,943 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,766 for everything else and $1,177 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,347 takes 46% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Washington County, AR?

Homes in Arkansas paid 14.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $127. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.