Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Ramsey County, MN

The median household in Ramsey County, MN earns $81,568 a year ($6,797/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,709/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $68,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.8% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$81,568$6,797 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,709HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)104.8+4.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population542,945Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,709Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$68,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,039At 30% of $81,568
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Ramsey County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 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 Ramsey County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,242$14,904$49,68018.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,405$16,860$56,20020.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,709$20,508$68,36025.1%
3-Bedroom Home$2,262$27,144$90,48033.3%
4-Bedroom Home$2,531$30,372$101,24037.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Ramsey County, MN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $81,568/year ($6,797/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,399/moRent ($1,709 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,039/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 104.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,359/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.

$81,568
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$81,568
Net 76%
Fed 11%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,190After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,182Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,392Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,115 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$4,023 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,240 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Ramsey County, MN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Ramsey County, MN is $81,568 per year (approximately $6,797 per month).

What is the average rent in Ramsey County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Ramsey County, MN are $1,242 for a studio, $1,405 for 1 bedroom, $1,709 for 2 bedrooms, $2,262 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,531 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,709/month) in Ramsey County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $68,360 per year ($5,697 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $81,568/year ($6,797/month) in Ramsey County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,399/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,039/month to discretionary spending, and $1,359/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Ramsey 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.