Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Barrett?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Barrett, you need to earn at least $50,200/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $50,833, which means the typical resident is $633 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 352

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$879	$2,930	$35,160	$-15,673
1 Bedroom	$1,042	$3,473	$41,680	$-9,153
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,255	$4,183	$50,200	$-633
3 Bedroom	$1,531	$5,103	$61,240	+$10,407
4 Bedroom	$1,883	$6,277	$75,320	+$24,487

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Barrett's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$50,833

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$50,200

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$633

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.6%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Barrett

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Barrett's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,271

Studio

$879/mo

1 BR

$1,042/mo

2 BR

$1,255/mo

3 BR

$1,531/mo

4 BR

$1,883/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Barrett.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Barrett's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Barrett

Barrett is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $633. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,042/month) or studio ($879/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Barrett pushes the required income to $61,240.

For comfortable living in Barrett without financial stress, target a household income of at least $75,300 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Minnesota's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Barrett, Minnesota.

With a total population of 352, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 162 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $50,200 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

162

Active civilian employees in Barrett

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Barrett

What salary do I need to live in Barrett, Minnesota?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Barrett under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $50,200. The median household income in Barrett is $50,833.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Barrett on $50,833?

The affordability verdict for Barrett is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.6%, meaning median earners have a $633 surplus.

What is the average rent in Barrett compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Barrett is $1,042/month. With a median household income of $50,833, residents spend approximately 29.6% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Barrett?

A studio in Barrett rents for approximately $879/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $35,160 to afford this.

Is Barrett considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $633 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Barrett is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $50,200 to the local median household income.

How Barrett Compares

Other cities in Minnesota with salary requirements