Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Dodge County, MN

The median household in Dodge County, MN earns $95,739 a year ($7,978/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,407/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $56,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$95,739$7,978 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,407HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.8-9.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population21,045Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Dodge County, MN

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,407Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,393At 30% of $95,739
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Dodge County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Rochester, MN HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Dodge County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,112$13,344$44,48013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,189$14,268$47,56014.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,407$16,884$56,28017.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,957$23,484$78,28024.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,360$28,320$94,40029.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Dodge County, MN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Dodge County, MN

Based on the local median household income of $95,739/year ($7,978/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,989/moRent ($1,407 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,393/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,596/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$95,739
$35,000$195,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$95,739
Net 74%
Fed 13%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$71,196After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,933Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,738Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,233 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$4,987 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,324 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Minnesota with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Dodge County, MN

What is the median household income in Dodge County, MN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dodge County, MN is $95,739 per year (approximately $7,978 per month).

What is the average rent in Dodge County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Dodge County, MN are $1,112 for a studio, $1,189 for 1 bedroom, $1,407 for 2 bedrooms, $1,957 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,360 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Dodge County, MN compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Dodge County, MN is 90.8 (9.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Dodge County, MN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,407/month) in Dodge County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $56,280 per year ($4,690 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Dodge County, MN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $95,739/year ($7,978/month) in Dodge County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,989/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,393/month to discretionary spending, and $1,596/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Dodge 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.