Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Mille Lacs County, MN

The median household in Mille Lacs County, MN earns $72,729 a year ($6,061/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,123/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $44,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.8% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$72,729$6,061 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,123HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)104.8+4.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population27,125Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Mille Lacs County, MN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,123Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$44,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,818At 30% of $72,729
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Mille Lacs County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Mille Lacs County, 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 Mille Lacs County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$850$10,200$34,00014%
1-Bedroom Apartment$856$10,272$34,24014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,123$13,476$44,92018.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,346$16,152$53,84022.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,884$22,608$75,36031.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Mille Lacs County, MN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Mille Lacs County, MN

Based on the local median household income of $72,729/year ($6,061/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,030/moRent ($1,123 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,818/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 104.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,212/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.

$72,729
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$72,729
Net 78%
Fed 10%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$56,573After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,714Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,176Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,170 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$3,422 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,564 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Mille Lacs County, MN

What is the median household income in Mille Lacs County, MN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Mille Lacs County, MN is $72,729 per year (approximately $6,061 per month).

What is the average rent in Mille Lacs County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Mille Lacs County, MN are $850 for a studio, $856 for 1 bedroom, $1,123 for 2 bedrooms, $1,346 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,884 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Mille Lacs County, MN is 104.8 (4.8% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,123/month) in Mille Lacs County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $44,920 per year ($3,743 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $72,729/year ($6,061/month) in Mille Lacs County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,030/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,818/month to discretionary spending, and $1,212/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Mille Lacs 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.