Woodbury, MN Salary Guide: The Real Value of $100,000

You pulled $100,000 on your offer letter. Congratulations. But in Minnesota, the "sticker price" of your labor is a vanity metric. We are here to find the net cash landing in your account and whether it buys you a lifestyle or a struggle in the Twin Cities' premier suburb.

This guide strips away the corporate fluff and applies a strict financial audit to a six-figure salary in Woodbury.

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The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s run the numbers. We aren't looking at what you earn; we are looking at what you keep. The gap between the two is where financial reality hits.

The Financial Breakdown:

• Gross Annual Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (MN): -$4,500
• Local Tax: $0

The Verdict:
Your Take Home Pay is $74,236.

That is a 25.8% tax drag on your income. For every $4.00 you earn, $1.00 vanishes to the government. Your annual loss to the "Sticker Price" is $25,764. If you can't mentally budget based on the $74k reality, you will bleed cash.

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Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a monthly net of $6,186, we apply the 50/30/20 rule to assess purchasing power in Woodbury.

Needs ($3,093/mo)

This bucket covers shelter, utilities, insurance, and groceries.

• Rent Assessment: The median rent for a one-bedroom in Woodbury hovers around $1,300–$1,500.
• The Math: $3,093 - $1,400 (Rent) = $1,693 remaining.
• Verdict: You are safe. A $100k salary allows you to rent comfortably without "house hacking" or splitting bills. You have a significant buffer for utilities and insurance that most markets don't offer.

Wants ($1,856/mo)

Dining out, subscriptions, nightlife, and retail.

• Purchasing Power: This is a healthy surplus. Woodbury isn't a nightlife hub like downtown Minneapolis, so your entertainment costs are likely lower (fewer Uber rides, cover charges, etc.).
• Verdict: You can maintain a premium lifestyle (high-end gym, frequent dining at Woodbury’s "The Forks," premium streaming) without guilt.

Savings ($1,237/mo)

Wealth creation and emergency funds.

• The Reality: $1,237/month is roughly $14,800 annually.
• Wealth Creation: This is enough to max out a Roth IRA ($7,000 limit) and still contribute $600/month to a 401k or taxable brokerage.
• Verdict: This is the "Wealth Window." If you invest this $1,237 correctly, you are building serious equity. If you waste it, the $100k salary is wasted.

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Woodbury Taxes vs. The Competition

How does Woodbury compare to high-tax metros? Let's look at the tax burden on a $100k salary.

Metric	Woodbury, MN	Austin, TX	New York City, NY
State Income Tax	4.5% (Flat)	0%	~4.0% - 6.5% (Progressive)
Local/City Tax	$0	$0	~3.9% (Yonkers/NYC)
Take Home Pay	$74,236	~$74,350	~$63,000
Cost of Living	Moderate	High	Extreme

The Analysis:

• Vs. NYC: Woodbury is a financial sanctuary. You keep $11k more than a New Yorker, while paying significantly less for rent and basic services.
• Vs. Austin: Woodbury is surprisingly competitive. Despite Minnesota's income tax, the lack of brutal property tax hikes (compared to Texas) and high insurance costs keeps your net effective income comparable, but with better social safety nets.

Minnesota State Tax Warning: You are paying $4,500 to the state. While Minnesota offers robust public services (parks, roads, healthcare access), this tax drags down your net worth accumulation compared to zero-tax states.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Woodbury?
A: Woodbury residents pay a zero percent local city income tax. Your total tax burden is composed of Federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and Minnesota State Income Tax (4.5% for this bracket).

Q: Is $100k a good salary in Woodbury?
A: Yes. It is well above the median household income for the area. It provides a "Rich Life" metric where you can afford a modern 1-bedroom apartment, max out retirement accounts, and have significant disposable income for lifestyle purchases.

Q: Does Woodbury have a local city tax?
A: No. Based on current data, Woodbury does not levy a local income tax on residents.

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Methodology & Sources:
Calculations are based on 2026 IRS tax brackets (projected for inflation), Social Security/Medicare FICA rates, and Minnesota Department of Revenue 2026 estimates. Cost of living data is weighted against Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) CPI-U indices for the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Local tax data verified via State Comptroller and Municipal tax codes.