Rent & Housing in Minnesota
Based on comprehensive economic data across 149 tracked municipalities, Minnesota presents diverse cost of living environments. Macroeconomic modeling identifies International Falls as the most cost-efficient market, contrasting starkly with the elevated real estate valuations found in Orono. Minnesota assesses a 9.85% progressive income tax, while residential property taxes average 1.11%. Financial planning in MN requires careful alignment of localized housing costs against state-level tax obligations.
Use this state hub to understand the statewide housing baseline first, then drop into city pages for a household-level feasibility verdict. The key question here is not just whether Minnesota is “cheap” or “expensive”, but which cities look most livable once rent, home values, taxes, and household income are considered together.
Minnesota looks comparatively accessible at the state level, with 17% average rent burden and 3.7x home-price-to-income. Start with International Falls, MN if your goal is to find the easiest relocation entry points before checking city-level verdicts.
Minnesota Tax Radar
At a gross income of $74,580, the localized Minnesota marginal tax brackets exact an effective state penalty of 5.8%. This results in an absolute "tax drag" drain of $4,295/year compared to states with no income tax.
Lower Housing Pressure Cities
These city pages have comparatively lower rent burden inside Minnesota, making them strong candidates for the next housing-feasibility clicks.
Biggest Move-Market Cities
These are the highest-population city pages in the state, useful when you want the major relocation targets before exploring the full table.
Rent Pressure Outliers
These city pages show the highest rent burden inside Minnesota. They are useful when you want to see where renting starts to materially squeeze household budgets.
Buy Pressure Outliers
These city pages have the toughest home-price-to-income ratios in Minnesota, making them the first places to inspect when buy-side affordability is the core concern.
Most Affordable
All Cities in Minnesota
| City | Pop. | Home Value | Rent | Income | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 426,845 | $327,043 | $1,638 | $80,269 | 107 |
| St. Paul | 307,762 | $289,137 | $1,485 | $73,055 | 100 |
| Rochester | 121,638 | $334,408 | $1,316 | $87,767 | 99 |
| Bloomington | 88,838 | $356,047 | $1,526 | $90,677 | 109 |
| Duluth | 86,863 | $225,700 | $1,037 | $66,263 | 84 |
| Brooklyn Park | 84,349 | $343,447 | $1,331 | $85,964 | 105 |
| Plymouth | 79,526 | $497,516 | $1,705 | $133,865 | 127 |
| Woodbury | 76,945 | $453,238 | $1,827 | $126,222 | 123 |
| Lakeville | 72,480 | $479,397 | $1,727 | $138,119 | 125 |
| Blaine | 71,261 | $374,642 | $1,707 | $103,382 | 113 |
| Maple Grove | 70,539 | $419,176 | $1,863 | $129,481 | 120 |
| St. Cloud | 69,926 | $212,800 | $1,005 | $61,112 | 86 |
| Eagan | 68,158 | $392,817 | $1,604 | $107,486 | 114 |
| Burnsville | 64,295 | $361,035 | $1,501 | $83,953 | 109 |
| Coon Rapids | 63,348 | $324,135 | $1,418 | $86,618 | 104 |
| Eden Prairie | 63,249 | $491,990 | $1,761 | $127,732 | 127 |
| Apple Valley | 55,696 | $368,753 | $1,678 | $99,277 | 112 |
| Minnetonka | 53,256 | $472,418 | $1,758 | $120,496 | 125 |
| Edina | 53,125 | $602,801 | $1,757 | $129,225 | 140 |
| St. Louis Park | 49,541 | $374,061 | $1,589 | $100,250 | 111 |
| Shakopee | 45,002 | $398,155 | $1,495 | $110,989 | 113 |
| Mankato | 44,882 | $250,600 | $1,089 | $64,826 | 87 |
| Moorhead | 44,706 | $246,300 | $1,017 | $69,371 | 85 |
| Maplewood | 40,981 | $291,300 | $1,316 | $88,534 | 99 |
| Cottage Grove | 40,124 | $391,506 | $1,644 | $121,452 | 114 |
| Richfield | 36,725 | $338,987 | $1,334 | $84,055 | 105 |
| Roseville | 35,905 | $334,800 | $1,346 | $88,440 | 104 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 35,772 | $368,056 | $1,447 | $104,055 | 109 |
| Andover | 32,825 | $389,200 | $1,827 | $131,528 | 116 |
| Brooklyn Center | 32,811 | $293,538 | $1,345 | $72,009 | 100 |
| Savage | 32,706 | $420,790 | $1,608 | $122,646 | 117 |
| Fridley | 29,944 | $315,224 | $1,270 | $79,274 | 101 |
| Chaska | 28,146 | $473,606 | $1,436 | $110,000 | 121 |
| Oakdale | 28,109 | $348,306 | $1,452 | $90,379 | 107 |
| Ramsey | 28,070 | $380,165 | $1,780 | $112,060 | 114 |
| Prior Lake | 27,832 | $515,927 | $1,548 | $130,278 | 127 |
| Shoreview | 26,724 | $403,828 | $1,502 | $109,399 | 114 |
| Rosemount | 26,509 | $429,032 | $1,614 | $127,247 | 118 |
| Owatonna | 26,462 | $234,600 | $1,010 | $81,276 | 86 |
| Elk River | 26,367 | $388,095 | $1,269 | $99,457 | 110 |
| Austin | 26,167 | $184,368 | $860 | $66,488 | 77 |
| Chanhassen | 26,001 | $530,700 | $1,749 | $138,034 | 131 |
| Winona | 25,998 | $193,500 | $839 | $56,163 | 79 |
| Faribault | 24,458 | $233,900 | $1,041 | $61,662 | 86 |
| White Bear Lake | 24,026 | $349,002 | $1,540 | $79,712 | 108 |
| Farmington | 23,675 | $394,322 | $1,275 | $118,556 | 110 |
| Champlin | 23,450 | $366,804 | $1,597 | $115,719 | 111 |
| New Brighton | 22,900 | $373,466 | $1,327 | $87,272 | 108 |
| Crystal | 22,685 | $312,501 | $1,437 | $86,752 | 103 |
| Hastings | 22,050 | $329,958 | $1,184 | $92,940 | 102 |
| Columbia Heights | 22,016 | $292,106 | $1,278 | $74,688 | 99 |
| Golden Valley | 21,927 | $426,761 | $1,815 | $114,435 | 120 |
| Lino Lakes | 21,847 | $445,677 | $1,744 | $121,800 | 122 |
| New Hope | 21,402 | $343,690 | $1,306 | $73,698 | 105 |
| Otsego | 21,358 | $367,200 | $1,696 | $127,219 | 112 |
| Willmar | 21,136 | $186,000 | $830 | $63,368 | 78 |
| West St. Paul | 21,076 | $312,318 | $1,195 | $70,738 | 100 |
| Forest Lake | 20,678 | $414,576 | $1,379 | $89,879 | 114 |
| Northfield | 20,678 | $305,300 | $1,036 | $92,000 | 94 |
| South St. Paul | 20,633 | $290,222 | $1,128 | $84,472 | 97 |
| Sartell | 19,620 | $278,000 | $1,197 | $77,465 | 92 |
| Stillwater | 19,323 | $435,165 | $1,408 | $109,297 | 116 |
| St. Michael | 19,267 | $365,800 | $2,038 | $130,814 | 116 |
| Hopkins | 18,696 | $324,730 | $1,346 | $71,170 | 103 |
| Albert Lea | 18,379 | $150,400 | $845 | $62,522 | 75 |
| Anoka | 17,941 | $324,582 | $1,200 | $75,262 | 102 |
| Red Wing | 16,660 | $224,800 | $954 | $65,259 | 84 |
| Ham Lake | 16,575 | $491,079 | $1,319 | $116,845 | 122 |
| Buffalo | 16,388 | $370,305 | $1,111 | $88,306 | 106 |
| Hibbing | 16,100 | $123,900 | $739 | $55,463 | 69 |
| Hugo | 16,076 | $427,620 | $1,896 | $114,057 | 121 |
| Bemidji | 15,490 | $189,500 | $1,004 | $53,850 | 80 |
| Hutchinson | 14,629 | $210,300 | $933 | $71,730 | 82 |
| Monticello | 14,607 | $298,400 | $1,462 | $81,563 | 101 |
| Alexandria | 14,579 | $247,200 | $907 | $61,558 | 84 |
| Brainerd | 14,474 | $178,600 | $848 | $53,705 | 78 |
| Robbinsdale | 14,318 | $307,796 | $1,582 | $84,719 | 104 |
| North Mankato | 14,212 | $252,700 | $918 | $77,571 | 85 |
| Fergus Falls | 14,138 | $173,300 | $839 | $50,865 | 77 |
| New Ulm | 14,066 | $192,700 | $974 | $63,984 | 81 |
| Marshall | 13,880 | $198,900 | $742 | $64,636 | 79 |
| Sauk Rapids | 13,851 | $240,200 | $941 | $67,004 | 84 |
| Worthington | 13,792 | $184,200 | $892 | $61,840 | 79 |
| Rogers | 13,405 | $454,658 | $1,550 | $159,638 | 120 |
| Waconia | 13,223 | $452,199 | $1,299 | $104,929 | 117 |
| Mounds View | 12,992 | $333,558 | $1,216 | $90,148 | 103 |
| Vadnais Heights | 12,789 | $364,439 | $1,342 | $91,946 | 108 |
| Cloquet | 12,582 | $200,100 | $978 | $63,854 | 80 |
| North St. Paul | 12,511 | $321,414 | $1,304 | $81,641 | 102 |
| Lake Elmo | 12,504 | $616,666 | $2,204 | $153,407 | 146 |
| Big Lake | 12,115 | $364,916 | $1,417 | $113,333 | 108 |
| St. Peter | 12,085 | $238,700 | $943 | $65,042 | 84 |
| East Bethel | 11,995 | $409,656 | $1,770 | $114,583 | 118 |
| Mendota Heights | 11,644 | $551,386 | $1,557 | $132,935 | 132 |
| Grand Rapids | 11,186 | $200,600 | $999 | $56,542 | 82 |
| North Branch | 11,182 | $347,473 | $1,178 | $90,383 | 104 |
| Victoria | 10,972 | $602,127 | $2,435 | $192,821 | 147 |
| Little Canada | 10,546 | $302,600 | $1,350 | $71,370 | 101 |
| Fairmont | 10,348 | $168,800 | $717 | $59,228 | 75 |
| Hermantown | 10,192 | $374,000 | $1,375 | $92,026 | 104 |
| Detroit Lakes | 10,002 | $246,200 | $925 | $62,123 | 86 |
| Cambridge | 9,992 | $318,730 | $1,232 | $67,632 | 101 |
| Arden Hills | 9,737 | $423,800 | $1,847 | $128,668 | 120 |
| St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) | 9,516 | $365,700 | $1,413 | $97,784 | 106 |
| Waseca | 9,209 | $185,600 | $796 | $61,546 | 78 |
| Mound | 9,176 | $370,592 | $1,119 | $91,370 | 106 |
| Little Falls | 9,094 | $198,100 | $740 | $46,284 | 79 |
| East Grand Forks | 9,067 | $243,800 | $872 | $74,618 | 83 |
| Oak Grove | 9,031 | $457,761 | $2,052 | $114,679 | 126 |
| Thief River Falls | 8,841 | $169,300 | $884 | $65,244 | 77 |
| Baxter | 8,804 | $298,400 | $1,123 | $71,272 | 94 |
| Minnetrista | 8,509 | $669,566 | $3,650 | $156,346 | 169 |
| Dayton | 8,381 | $507,306 | $1,353 | $137,383 | 124 |
| Virginia | 8,362 | $117,500 | $789 | $48,321 | 69 |
| Waite Park | 8,341 | $217,000 | $1,072 | $56,884 | 84 |
| St. Francis | 8,279 | $343,859 | $1,183 | $101,875 | 103 |
| Orono | 8,205 | $1,086,024 | $1,653 | $181,875 | 194 |
| New Prague | 8,195 | $345,407 | $1,198 | $98,424 | 104 |
| Mahtomedi | 8,108 | $468,669 | $1,608 | $132,326 | 122 |
| Albertville | 8,066 | $326,400 | $1,385 | $126,307 | 104 |
| Wyoming | 8,063 | $384,166 | $1,117 | $101,938 | 108 |
| Shorewood | 7,679 | $787,979 | $2,099 | $172,325 | 165 |
| Belle Plaine | 7,401 | $344,285 | $1,336 | $96,831 | 105 |
| Crookston | 7,388 | $160,700 | $827 | $54,003 | 73 |
| St. Joseph | 7,024 | $240,300 | $1,139 | $75,217 | 87 |
| Isanti | 7,023 | $324,128 | $1,299 | $84,412 | 103 |
| Spring Lake Park | 6,997 | $313,795 | $1,375 | $77,112 | 102 |
| Kasson | 6,964 | $264,500 | $1,066 | $87,295 | 88 |
| Medina | 6,858 | $819,254 | $1,421 | $219,181 | 161 |
| Corcoran | 6,854 | $596,829 | $0 | $143,250 | 135 |
| Stewartville | 6,754 | $328,242 | $975 | $65,714 | 95 |
| Delano | 6,712 | $347,500 | $909 | $118,091 | 101 |
| Jordan | 6,704 | $430,957 | $1,102 | $110,139 | 113 |
| Litchfield | 6,599 | $183,900 | $917 | $57,539 | 79 |
| Byron | 6,510 | $394,191 | $1,079 | $121,681 | 104 |
| Zimmerman | 6,410 | $328,526 | $1,277 | $86,169 | 103 |
| Carver | 5,935 | $490,226 | $1,347 | $144,408 | 122 |
| International Falls | 5,728 | $115,000 | $753 | $61,043 | 68 |
| Glencoe | 5,702 | $213,100 | $901 | $63,967 | 82 |
| Chisago City | 5,629 | $430,214 | $1,163 | $96,964 | 113 |
| Credit River | 5,531 | $577,600 | $890 | $149,524 | 124 |
| St. Paul Park | 5,464 | $308,314 | $2,118 | $98,670 | 110 |
| Montevideo | 5,303 | $137,600 | $832 | $65,724 | 73 |
| La Crescent | 5,266 | $244,500 | $1,059 | $82,109 | 88 |
| North Oaks | 5,175 | $921,425 | $2,932 | $235,858 | 190 |
| Falcon Heights | 5,145 | $403,548 | $1,200 | $93,233 | 111 |
| Morris | 5,092 | $185,200 | $841 | $63,807 | 78 |
| Redwood Falls | 5,075 | $162,000 | $824 | $61,947 | 75 |
| Lake City | 5,021 | $234,100 | $1,022 | $76,125 | 84 |
FAQ: Living in Minnesota
What is the most affordable city to live in Minnesota?+
Among the cities we track, International Falls stands out as the most affordable option in Minnesota. The median home value there is $115,000, and monthly rent typically runs around $753. The local median household income is $61,043, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Minnesota?+
Orono is currently the priciest market in MN. Homes there are valued at a median of $1,086,024, and renters can expect to pay around $1,653/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $181,875 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Minnesota?+
Minnesota has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.85%. Property taxes average 1.11% statewide. Combined state and local sales tax can reach 7.54%.
How much does housing vary across Minnesota?+
There's a huge range. In International Falls, the median home costs around $115,000. In Orono, that number jumps to $1,086,024 — roughly 8x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $753/month vs. $1,653/month. Where you choose to settle within MN can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Minnesota a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Minnesota offers a wide range of living costs depending on the city. You can find very affordable communities alongside expensive metro areas. Home prices range from around $115,000 in budget-friendly areas to $1,086,024 in premium markets. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, property tax, and everyday cost pressure across locations in MN.
Explore Other States
- 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)