Minnesota · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Washington County, MN

Prices around Washington County, MN run 4.8% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $115,345 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.

Washington County, MN at a glance

Median household income

$115,345$9,612 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
Population276,238Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Washington 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 income17.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$68,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,884At 30% of $115,345
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Washington 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 Washington County, MN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,242$14,904$49,68012.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,405$16,860$56,20014.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,709$20,508$68,36017.8%
3-Bedroom Home$2,262$27,144$90,48023.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,531$30,372$101,24026.3%

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

What a typical income covers in Washington County, MN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $115,345 a year ($9,612 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,806/moRent ($1,709 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,884/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,922/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $115,345 leaves after Minnesota taxes

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

$115,345
$45,000$235,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$115,345
Net 73%
Fed 14%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$83,655After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,971Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,218Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate27.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$16,546 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$6,320 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$8,824 / yr

Living in Washington County, MN: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington County, MN is $115,345 per year (approximately $9,612 per month).

What is the average rent in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 59% of what the typical household in Washington County, MN earns.

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

On the local median income of $115,345 ($9,612 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,806 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,884 for everything else and $1,922 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,709 takes 36% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Washington 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.