Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$74,477$6,206 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Blue Earth County, MN
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Blue Earth County, MN
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Mankato, MN MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $971 | $11,652 | $38,840 | 15.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $977 | $11,724 | $39,080 | 15.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,171 | $14,052 | $46,840 | 18.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,629 | $19,548 | $65,160 | 26.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,916 | $22,992 | $76,640 | 30.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Blue Earth County, MN
Based on the local median household income of $74,477/year ($6,206/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Minnesota
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Minnesota state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Minnesota with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Blue Earth County, MN
What is the median household income in Blue Earth County, MN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Blue Earth County, MN is $74,477 per year (approximately $6,206 per month).
What is the average rent in Blue Earth County, MN?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Blue Earth County, MN are $971 for a studio, $977 for 1 bedroom, $1,171 for 2 bedrooms, $1,629 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,916 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Blue Earth County, MN compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Blue Earth County, MN is 91.0 (9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Blue Earth County, MN?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,171/month) in Blue Earth County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $46,840 per year ($3,903 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Blue Earth County, MN?
For a typical household earning the median income of $74,477/year ($6,206/month) in Blue Earth County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,103/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,862/month to discretionary spending, and $1,241/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Blue Earth County, MN?
Residential electricity rates in Minnesota average 17.5¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $158 per month.