Minnesota · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Hennepin County, MN

Prices around Hennepin County, MN run 4.8% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $97,653 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,709 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $68,360 a year.

Hennepin County, MN at a glance

Median household income

$97,653$8,138 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,709HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)104.8+4.8% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Population1,269,496Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Hennepin County, MN?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,709Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$68,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,441At 30% of $97,653
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Hennepin County, MN? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Hennepin County, MN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,242$14,904$49,68015.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,405$16,860$56,20017.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,709$20,508$68,36021%
3-Bedroom Home$2,262$27,144$90,48027.8%
4-Bedroom Home$2,531$30,372$101,24031.1%

Rent in Hennepin County, MN, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Hennepin County, MN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $97,653 a year ($8,138 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,069/moRent ($1,709 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,441/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,628/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $97,653 leaves after Minnesota taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Minnesota tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$97,653
$35,000$200,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$97,653
Net 74%
Fed 13%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$72,412After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,034Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,785Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,654 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$5,117 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,470 / yr

Living in Hennepin County, MN: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hennepin County, MN is $97,653 per year (approximately $8,138 per month).

What is the average rent in Hennepin County, MN?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,242 for a studio, $1,405 for one bedroom, $1,709 for two, $2,262 for three and $2,531 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 Hennepin County, MN expensive to live in?

Prices there run 4.8% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 104.8, 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 Hennepin County, MN?

To keep a $1,709 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $68,360 a year, or $5,697 a month. That is 70% of what the typical household in Hennepin County, MN earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Hennepin County, MN?

On the local median income of $97,653 ($8,138 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,069 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,441 for everything else and $1,628 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,709 takes 42% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Hennepin County, MN?

Homes in Minnesota paid 17.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $158. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.