Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$68,874$5,740 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Cass County, MN
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cass County, MN
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Cass County, MN. 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 | $729 | $8,748 | $29,160 | 12.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $768 | $9,216 | $30,720 | 13.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $973 | $11,676 | $38,920 | 17% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,300 | $15,600 | $52,000 | 22.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,632 | $19,584 | $65,280 | 28.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Cass County, MN
Based on the local median household income of $68,874/year ($5,740/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 Cass County, MN
What is the median household income in Cass County, MN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cass County, MN is $68,874 per year (approximately $5,740 per month).
What is the average rent in Cass County, MN?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cass County, MN are $729 for a studio, $768 for 1 bedroom, $973 for 2 bedrooms, $1,300 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,632 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Cass County, MN compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cass County, MN is 98.6 (1.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Cass County, MN?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($973/month) in Cass County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $38,920 per year ($3,243 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Cass County, MN?
For a typical household earning the median income of $68,874/year ($5,740/month) in Cass County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,870/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,722/month to discretionary spending, and $1,148/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cass 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.