Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Itasca County, MN

The median household in Itasca County, MN earns $68,603 a year ($5,717/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,074/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,960 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$68,603$5,717 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,074HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.6-1.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population45,275Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,074Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,715At 30% of $68,603
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Itasca County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Itasca County, MN. 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 Itasca County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$754$9,048$30,16013.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$860$10,320$34,40015%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,074$12,888$42,96018.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,401$16,812$56,04024.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,516$18,192$60,64026.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Itasca County, MN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $68,603/year ($5,717/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,858/moRent ($1,074 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,715/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,143/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.

$68,603
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,603
Net 79%
Fed 9%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,951After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,496Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,075Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,263 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$3,142 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,248 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Itasca County, MN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Itasca County, MN is $68,603 per year (approximately $5,717 per month).

What is the average rent in Itasca County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Itasca County, MN are $754 for a studio, $860 for 1 bedroom, $1,074 for 2 bedrooms, $1,401 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,516 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Itasca 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 Itasca County, MN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,074/month) in Itasca County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $42,960 per year ($3,580 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $68,603/year ($5,717/month) in Itasca County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,858/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,715/month to discretionary spending, and $1,143/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Itasca 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.