Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Otter Tail County, MN

The median household in Otter Tail County, MN earns $72,255 a year ($6,021/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $983/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $39,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$72,255$6,021 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$983HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.6-1.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population60,475Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Otter Tail County, MN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$983Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,806At 30% of $72,255
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Otter Tail County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$678$8,136$27,12011.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$749$8,988$29,96012.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$983$11,796$39,32016.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,367$16,404$54,68022.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,432$17,184$57,28023.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Otter Tail County, MN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Otter Tail County, MN

Based on the local median household income of $72,255/year ($6,021/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,011/moRent ($983 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,806/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,204/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.

$72,255
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$72,255
Net 78%
Fed 10%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$56,271After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,689Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,164Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,066 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$3,390 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,528 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Otter Tail County, MN

What is the median household income in Otter Tail County, MN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Otter Tail County, MN is $72,255 per year (approximately $6,021 per month).

What is the average rent in Otter Tail County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Otter Tail County, MN are $678 for a studio, $749 for 1 bedroom, $983 for 2 bedrooms, $1,367 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,432 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($983/month) in Otter Tail County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $39,320 per year ($3,277 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $72,255/year ($6,021/month) in Otter Tail County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,011/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,806/month to discretionary spending, and $1,204/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Otter Tail 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.