Minnesota · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Rock County, MN

Prices around Rock County, MN run 9.4% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $71,295 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $973 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $38,920 a year.

Rock County, MN at a glance

Median household income

$71,295$5,941 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)90.6-9.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Population9,621Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Rock 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$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,782At 30% of $71,295
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Rock County, MN HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Rock County, MN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$727$8,724$29,08012.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$742$8,904$29,68012.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92016.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,353$16,236$54,12022.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,357$16,284$54,28022.8%

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

What a typical income covers in Rock County, MN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $71,295 a year ($5,941 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,971/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,782/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,188/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $71,295 leaves after Minnesota taxes

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

$71,295
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$71,295
Net 78%
Fed 10%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,661After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,638Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,141Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,855 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$3,325 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,454 / yr

Living in Rock County, MN: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rock County, MN is $71,295 per year (approximately $5,941 per month).

What is the average rent in Rock County, MN?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $727 for a studio, $742 for one bedroom, $973 for two, $1,353 for three and $1,357 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 Rock County, MN expensive to live in?

Prices there run 9.4% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 90.6, 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 Rock County, MN?

To keep a $973 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $38,920 a year, or $3,243 a month. That is 55% of what the typical household in Rock County, MN earns.

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

On the local median income of $71,295 ($5,941 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,971 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,782 for everything else and $1,188 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $973 takes 33% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Rock 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.