St. Cloud, MN

Yes — everyday expenses in St. Cloud run about 14% below the US average (Cost Index: 86). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $212,800, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,005, versus $1,348 nationally.

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,005, while local median household income is $61,112. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 20% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

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 $212,800, that translates to roughly $2,362 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.54% on everyday purchases.

The typical monthly rent in St. Cloud is around $1,005. That's roughly 25% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $212,800, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

The median home in St. Cloud is valued at $212,800. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,076/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 49% of residents here own their homes.

Grocery prices in St. Cloud are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 103, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 93). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

St. Cloud is a smaller city with a population of about 69,926. The median age of residents is 31, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 18.49%, above the national average of 12.4%.