North Dakota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Stark County, ND

The median household in Stark County, ND earns $84,449 a year ($7,037/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,056/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 11% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$84,449$7,037 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,056HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.0-11% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential ND
Census Population33,302Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,056Monthly market rent
Share of gross income15%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,111At 30% of $84,449
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Stark County, ND

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Stark County, ND. 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 Stark County, ND
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$869$10,428$34,76012.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$874$10,488$34,96012.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,056$12,672$42,24015%
3-Bedroom Home$1,469$17,628$58,76020.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,771$21,252$70,84025.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Stark County, ND →

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

Based on the local median household income of $84,449/year ($7,037/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,519/moRent ($1,056 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,111/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,407/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.

$84,449
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$84,449
Net 80%
Fed 12%
ND 0%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$67,852After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,654Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,610Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,749 / yr
North Dakota state income tax$388 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,460 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Stark County, ND

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Stark County, ND is $84,449 per year (approximately $7,037 per month).

What is the average rent in Stark County, ND?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Stark County, ND are $869 for a studio, $874 for 1 bedroom, $1,056 for 2 bedrooms, $1,469 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,771 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Stark County, ND is 89.0 (11% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,056/month) in Stark County, ND requires a minimum gross household income of $42,240 per year ($3,520 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $84,449/year ($7,037/month) in Stark County, ND, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,519/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,111/month to discretionary spending, and $1,407/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Stark 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.