Nelson County, ND at a glance
Median household income
$67,193$5,599 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Nelson 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 Nelson County, ND? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Nelson 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 | $732 | $8,784 | $29,280 | 13.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $745 | $8,940 | $29,800 | 13.3% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $873 | $10,476 | $34,920 | 15.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,214 | $14,568 | $48,560 | 21.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,464 | $17,568 | $58,560 | 26.1% |
What a typical income covers in Nelson County, ND
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $67,193 a year ($5,599 a month before tax).
What $67,193 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 Nelson County, ND: common questions
What is the median household income in Nelson County, ND?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Nelson County, ND is $67,193 per year (approximately $5,599 per month).
What is the average rent in Nelson County, ND?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $732 for a studio, $745 for one bedroom, $873 for two, $1,214 for three and $1,464 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 Nelson 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 Nelson County, ND?
To keep a $873 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $34,920 a year, or $2,910 a month. That is 52% of what the typical household in Nelson County, ND earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Nelson County, ND?
On the local median income of $67,193 ($5,599 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,800 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,680 for everything else and $1,120 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $873 takes 31% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Nelson 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.