Barnes County, ND at a glance
Median household income
$68,038$5,670 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Barnes County, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Barnes County, ND? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Barnes County, ND, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $718 | $8,616 | $28,720 | 12.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $722 | $8,664 | $28,880 | 12.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $948 | $11,376 | $37,920 | 16.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,137 | $13,644 | $45,480 | 20.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,590 | $19,080 | $63,600 | 28% |
What a typical income covers in Barnes County, ND
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $68,038 a year ($5,670 a month before tax).
What $68,038 leaves after North Dakota taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Dakota tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in North Dakota
Living in Barnes County, ND: common questions
What is the median household income in Barnes County, ND?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Barnes County, ND is $68,038 per year (approximately $5,670 per month).
What is the average rent in Barnes County, ND?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $718 for a studio, $722 for one bedroom, $948 for two, $1,137 for three and $1,590 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Barnes County, ND expensive to live in?
Prices there run 11% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for North Dakota is 89.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Barnes County, ND?
To keep a $948 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $37,920 a year, or $3,160 a month. That is 56% of what the typical household in Barnes County, ND earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Barnes County, ND?
On the local median income of $68,038 ($5,670 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,835 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,701 for everything else and $1,134 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $948 takes 33% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Barnes County, ND?
Homes in North Dakota paid 14.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $127. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.