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City Housing Verdict

Bemidji, MN

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Bemidji, MN — everyday costs run about 20% below the national average (Cost Index: 80). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $189,500, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $53,850 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Bemidji looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 22% rent burden, 3.5x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 62. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Bemidji.

Monthly Housing
$1,004/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
22%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$2,984/mo
After housing and debt · $995/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: nonmetroHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 34%
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Cost Index
80
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$189,500
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,004/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$53,850
National: $78,538
Population
15,490
Purchasing Power
86
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
62 / 100
38% below average
Rent Index
74 / 100
26% below average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Utilities
88 / 100
12% lower utility bills
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Healthcare & Services
98 / 100
In line with national average
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Overall Index
80
Affordable · 20% below average

Bemidji Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $189,500 and Minnesota's property tax rate of 1.11%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$53,850
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
22%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3.5x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Bemidji looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Bemidji, MN

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,103
Monthly Impact
$175
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.11%
National avg: ~1.00%

Minnesota Place Tax Context

Tax TypeMinnesotaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.11%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate9.85%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.54%~5.0%

Compare Bemidji to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Bemidji, MN
80
74
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Bemidji, MN: 62
Rent Prices
74

FAQ: Living in Bemidji

Is Bemidji, MN an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Bemidji run about 20% below the US average (Cost Index: 80). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $189,500, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,004, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Bemidji fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,004, while local median household income is $53,850. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 22% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Bemidji, MN?+

Minnesota has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 9.85%. The effective property tax rate is 1.11%. On a home worth $189,500, that translates to roughly $2,103 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.54% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Bemidji, MN?+

The typical monthly rent in Bemidji is around $1,004. That's roughly 26% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $189,500, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Bemidji, MN?+

The median home in Bemidji is valued at $189,500. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $958/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 42% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Bemidji?+

Grocery prices in Bemidji are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Bemidji, MN like to live in?+

Bemidji is a small town with a population of about 15,490. The median age of residents is 29.8, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 20.69%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Minnesota

If Bemidji feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Minnesota

Use these city pages when you want to compare Bemidji against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly