Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
St. Cloud, MN

Cost of living in Benton County, MN

Part of the St. Cloud Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,090/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 41,458 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $883 29%
Federal tax $601 19%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $340 11%
Transport $320 10%
State tax $229 7%
Energy $187 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Benton County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$856
per month
1 bedroom
$883
per month
2 bedroom
$1,151
per month
3 bedroom
$1,510
per month
4 bedroom
$1,798
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Benton County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$71,480
per year
Individual earnings
$46,810
per year
Per capita
$36,935
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Benton County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$247,100
Annual property tax
$2,532

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Benton County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$124
per month · 15.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Benton County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Benton County

State and local tax rates for Minnesota.

State income tax
9.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.9%
Combined sales tax
7.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Benton County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.7 min
Drive alone
81.2%
Public transit
0.4%
Work from home
7.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Benton County

What it costs to live in Benton County each month.

Single person
$3,090
per month
  • Rent $883
  • Energy $187
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $340
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $601
  • State tax $229
Couple
$4,491
per month
  • Rent $1,151
  • Energy $224
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $563
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $840
  • State tax $369
Family
$6,994
per month
  • Rent $1,510
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $855
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $840
  • State tax $369

Frequently asked questions about Benton County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Benton County?

In Benton County, MN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $883 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,151 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,510 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Benton County?

In Benton County, MN, the average household income is $71,480 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $46,810 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Benton County?

The estimated cost of living in Benton County, MN is approximately $3,090 per month for a single person, $4,491 for a couple, $6,994 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Benton County?

The combined sales tax rate in Benton County, MN is 7.54%, which includes the Minnesota state rate of 6.88% plus an average local rate of 0.66%.

Is Benton County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Benton County, MN would need approximately $3,090 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $71,480 per year ($5,957 per month). Benton County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Benton County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Benton County, MN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Benton County?

The average home value in Benton County, MN is $247,100, with average annual property taxes of $2,532, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Benton County compare to other areas?

You can compare Benton County, MN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Benton County is in the St. Cloud, MN metro area.

Other counties in Minnesota

Browse the full list of counties in Minnesota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Minnesota

Compare Benton County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources