Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$80,573$6,714 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Carlton County, MN
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Carlton County, MN
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Duluth, MN-WI 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 | $849 | $10,188 | $33,960 | 12.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $978 | $11,736 | $39,120 | 14.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,232 | $14,784 | $49,280 | 18.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,689 | $20,268 | $67,560 | 25.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,067 | $24,804 | $82,680 | 30.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Carlton County, MN
Based on the local median household income of $80,573/year ($6,714/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 Carlton County, MN
What is the median household income in Carlton County, MN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carlton County, MN is $80,573 per year (approximately $6,714 per month).
What is the average rent in Carlton County, MN?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Carlton County, MN are $849 for a studio, $978 for 1 bedroom, $1,232 for 2 bedrooms, $1,689 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,067 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Carlton County, MN compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Carlton County, MN is 88.8 (11.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Carlton County, MN?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,232/month) in Carlton County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $49,280 per year ($4,107 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Carlton County, MN?
For a typical household earning the median income of $80,573/year ($6,714/month) in Carlton County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,357/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,014/month to discretionary spending, and $1,343/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Carlton 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.