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Grand Forks, ND-MN

Cost of living in Polk County, MN

Part of the Grand Forks Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,905/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 30,905 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $782 27%
Federal tax $539 19%
Healthcare $480 17%
Groceries $340 12%
Transport $320 11%
State tax $207 7%
Energy $187 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Polk County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$777
per month
1 bedroom
$782
per month
2 bedroom
$984
per month
3 bedroom
$1,379
per month
4 bedroom
$1,652
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Polk County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$69,136
per year
Individual earnings
$42,986
per year
Per capita
$36,332
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Polk County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$211,100
Annual property tax
$2,109

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Polk 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 Polk County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.9%

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 Polk 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 Polk County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
18.7 min
Drive alone
78.1%
Public transit
0.7%
Work from home
6.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Polk County

What it costs to live in Polk County each month.

Single person
$2,905
per month
  • Rent $782
  • Energy $187
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $340
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $539
  • State tax $207
Couple
$4,271
per month
  • Rent $984
  • Energy $224
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $563
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $801
  • State tax $355
Family
$6,810
per month
  • Rent $1,379
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $855
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $801
  • State tax $355

Frequently asked questions about Polk County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Polk County?

In Polk County, MN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $782 per month, a two-bedroom averages $984 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,379 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Polk County?

In Polk County, MN, the average household income is $69,136 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,986 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Polk County?

The estimated cost of living in Polk County, MN is approximately $2,905 per month for a single person, $4,271 for a couple, $6,810 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Polk County?

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

Is Polk County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Polk County, MN would need approximately $2,905 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $69,136 per year ($5,761 per month). Polk County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Polk County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Polk County, MN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Polk County?

The average home value in Polk County, MN is $211,100, with average annual property taxes of $2,109, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Polk County compare to other areas?

You can compare Polk County, MN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Polk County is in the Grand Forks, ND-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 Polk 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