Cost of Living in Rock 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 Rock County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Rock County ranks #1,202 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 38%)
Sourced county brief
Rock County Median Gross Rent Below State Unweighted Mean
The median gross rent in Rock County was estimated at $698 per month, which is lower than the Minnesota unweighted county mean of $938. According to the official ACS B25071 GRAPI, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income was 25.4%. This percentage is 1.9 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 27.3%. The median home value in the county was $224,300, while the state unweighted county mean was $238,336. Monthly costs for owners were estimated at $961, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $1,116. Median renter-household income for the 2020-2024 period was $31,250. These figures represent snapshots from the American Community Survey 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: Rock County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.4% of renter household income in Rock 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 $698 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $961. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $27,920 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. Rock County's $698 median is 25.6% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Rock County
Rent Burden
11.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,664
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.2%
of gross income
The median home in Rock County may be a stretch
Median home value is $224,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,791 vs. your max of $1,664.
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 Rock County, Minnesota?
What is the median rent in Rock County?
Is Rock County affordable?
How does Rock County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Rock County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Rock County, Minnesota? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Rock County
Whether you're buying in Rock 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.