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Mankato, MN

Cost of living in Blue Earth County, MN

Part of the Mankato Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,927/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 69,386 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $969 33%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $416 14%
Groceries $340 12%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $187 6%
State tax $165 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Blue Earth County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$963
per month
1 bedroom
$969
per month
2 bedroom
$1,174
per month
3 bedroom
$1,645
per month
4 bedroom
$1,971
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Blue Earth County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$72,623
per year
Individual earnings
$35,496
per year
Per capita
$36,299
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Blue Earth County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$252,800
Annual property tax
$2,487

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.6%

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 Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
17.1 min
Drive alone
76.2%
Public transit
1.8%
Work from home
8.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Blue Earth County

What it costs to live in Blue Earth County each month.

Single person
$2,927
per month
  • Rent $969
  • Energy $187
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $340
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $416
  • State tax $165
Couple
$4,539
per month
  • Rent $1,174
  • Energy $224
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $563
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $859
  • State tax $375
Family
$7,154
per month
  • Rent $1,645
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $855
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $859
  • State tax $375

Frequently asked questions about Blue Earth County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Blue Earth County?

In Blue Earth County, MN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $969 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,174 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,645 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Blue Earth County?

In Blue Earth County, MN, the average household income is $72,623 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $35,496 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Blue Earth County?

The estimated cost of living in Blue Earth County, MN is approximately $2,927 per month for a single person, $4,539 for a couple, $7,154 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Blue Earth County?

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

Is Blue Earth County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Blue Earth County, MN would need approximately $2,927 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $72,623 per year ($6,052 per month). Blue Earth County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Blue Earth County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Blue Earth County, MN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Blue Earth County?

The average home value in Blue Earth County, MN is $252,800, with average annual property taxes of $2,487, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Blue Earth County compare to other areas?

You can compare Blue Earth County, MN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Blue Earth County is in the Mankato, 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 Blue Earth 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