Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Traverse County, MN

The median household in Traverse County, MN earns $62,989 a year ($5,249/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $973/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$62,989$5,249 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.6-1.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population3,243Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,575At 30% of $62,989
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Traverse County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Traverse 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 Traverse County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$671$8,052$26,84012.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$742$8,904$29,68014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92018.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,353$16,236$54,12025.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,609$19,308$64,36030.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Traverse County, MN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $62,989/year ($5,249/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,625/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,575/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,050/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.

$62,989
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$62,989
Net 79%
Fed 9%
MN 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$50,032After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,169Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,924Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,379 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$2,760 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,819 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Traverse County, MN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Traverse County, MN is $62,989 per year (approximately $5,249 per month).

What is the average rent in Traverse County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Traverse County, MN are $671 for a studio, $742 for 1 bedroom, $973 for 2 bedrooms, $1,353 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,609 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($973/month) in Traverse County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $38,920 per year ($3,243 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $62,989/year ($5,249/month) in Traverse County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,625/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,575/month to discretionary spending, and $1,050/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Traverse 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.