Minnesota · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in St. Louis County, MN

Prices around St. Louis County, MN run 11.2% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $70,069 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,232 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $49,280 a year.

St. Louis County, MN at a glance

Median household income

$70,069$5,839 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,232HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)88.8-11.2% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Population200,123Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in St. Louis 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$1,232Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,752At 30% of $70,069
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in St. Louis County, MN? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Duluth, MN-WI MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in St. Louis County, MN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$849$10,188$33,96014.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$978$11,736$39,12016.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,232$14,784$49,28021.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,689$20,268$67,56028.9%
4-Bedroom Home$2,067$24,804$82,68035.4%

Rent in St. Louis County, MN, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in St. Louis County, MN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $70,069 a year ($5,839 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,920/moRent ($1,232 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,752/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,168/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $70,069 leaves after Minnesota taxes

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

$70,069
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,069
Net 78%
Fed 9%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,882After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,574Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,111Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,585 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$3,241 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,360 / yr

Living in St. Louis County, MN: common questions

What is the median household income in St. Louis County, MN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Louis County, MN is $70,069 per year (approximately $5,839 per month).

What is the average rent in St. Louis County, MN?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $849 for a studio, $978 for one bedroom, $1,232 for two, $1,689 for three and $2,067 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 St. Louis County, MN expensive to live in?

Prices there run 11.2% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 88.8, 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 St. Louis County, MN?

To keep a $1,232 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $49,280 a year, or $4,107 a month. That is 70% of what the typical household in St. Louis County, MN earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in St. Louis County, MN?

On the local median income of $70,069 ($5,839 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,920 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,752 for everything else and $1,168 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,232 takes 42% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in St. Louis 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.