North Dakota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in McHenry County, ND

The median household in McHenry County, ND earns $80,733 a year ($6,728/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,000/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,000 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$80,733$6,728 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,000HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.0-13% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential ND
Census Population5,207Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in McHenry County, ND

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,000Monthly market rent
Share of gross income14.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,018At 30% of $80,733
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: McHenry County, ND

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for McHenry County, ND 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 McHenry County, ND
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$725$8,700$29,00010.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$839$10,068$33,56012.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,000$12,000$40,00014.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,387$16,644$55,48020.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,678$20,136$67,12024.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for McHenry County, ND →

50/30/20 Living Budget in McHenry County, ND

Based on the local median household income of $80,733/year ($6,728/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,364/moRent ($1,000 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,018/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,346/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in North Dakota

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and North Dakota state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$80,733
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$80,733
Net 81%
Fed 11%
ND 0%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$65,311After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,443Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,512Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,931 / yr
North Dakota state income tax$315 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,176 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across North Dakota with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in McHenry County, ND

What is the median household income in McHenry County, ND?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in McHenry County, ND is $80,733 per year (approximately $6,728 per month).

What is the average rent in McHenry County, ND?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in McHenry County, ND are $725 for a studio, $839 for 1 bedroom, $1,000 for 2 bedrooms, $1,387 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,678 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in McHenry County, ND compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in McHenry County, ND is 87.0 (13% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in McHenry County, ND?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,000/month) in McHenry County, ND requires a minimum gross household income of $40,000 per year ($3,333 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in McHenry County, ND?

For a typical household earning the median income of $80,733/year ($6,728/month) in McHenry County, ND, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,364/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,018/month to discretionary spending, and $1,346/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in McHenry County, ND?

Residential electricity rates in North Dakota average 14.1¢ 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 $127 per month.