Cost of Living in Dakota County, Minnesota
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Dakota County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Dakota County ranks #2,958 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 6%)
Sourced county brief
Dakota County Median Monthly Gross Rent Estimated at $1,548
Median gross rent in Dakota County was estimated at $1,548 per month, a figure that is $610 above the Minnesota unweighted county mean of $938. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 29.9%, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 27.3%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,718, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $1,116. The median home value in the county was $381,000, while the state unweighted county mean stood at $238,336. Renter households in Dakota County reported a median income of $60,763. These data points provide a housing cost snapshot from the 2020-2024 5-year estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Dakota County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.9% of renter household income in Dakota County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,548 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,718. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $61,920 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Minnesota unweighted mean of county median rents is $938 per month. Dakota County's $1,548 median is 65.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Dakota County
Rent Burden
17.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,481
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.4%
of gross income
The median home in Dakota County may be a stretch
Median home value is $381,000. Estimated monthly cost: $3,042 vs. your max of $2,481.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Dakota County, Minnesota?
What is the median rent in Dakota County?
Is Dakota County affordable?
How does Dakota County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Dakota County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Dakota County, Minnesota? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Dakota County
Whether you're buying in Dakota County, Minnesota, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.