Minnesota Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 87 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$915/mo
Average Home Value
$222,532
Average Owner Cost
$1,092/mo
At a Glance
Housing Costs in Minnesota: An Overview
The median rent in Minnesota is $915 per month, which is 21% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within Minnesota, housing costs vary significantly by county. Washington County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,637 per month and a median home value of $400,900. At the other end of the spectrum, Wilkin County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $561 per month and homes valued at a median of $172,300.
The average home value across Minnesota counties is $222,532, 21% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $75,757, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to Minnesota, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Minnesota
How median rents are spread across 87 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
All Minnesota Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | Expensive$1,637/mo | $400,900 | $1,762/mo | 29.0% |
| Dakota County | Moderate$1,497/mo | $362,100 | $1,696/mo | 29.0% |
| Scott County | Moderate$1,485/mo | $393,500 | $1,922/mo | 29.0% |
| Carver County | Moderate$1,444/mo | $426,900 | $1,993/mo | 26.0% |
| Hennepin County | Moderate$1,439/mo | $376,500 | $1,788/mo | 28.0% |
| Anoka County | Moderate$1,396/mo | $325,800 | $1,576/mo | 30.0% |
| Ramsey County | Moderate$1,298/mo | $304,900 | $1,536/mo | 30.0% |
| Olmsted County | Moderate$1,283/mo | $304,500 | $1,378/mo | 29.0% |
| Wright County | Moderate$1,246/mo | $332,800 | $1,678/mo | 27.0% |
| Isanti County | Moderate$1,241/mo | $283,200 | $1,503/mo | 29.0% |
| Sherburne County | Moderate$1,151/mo | $332,700 | $1,669/mo | 27.0% |
| Chisago County | Moderate$1,112/mo | $326,600 | $1,643/mo | 30.0% |
| Blue Earth County | Moderate$1,076/mo | $252,800 | $1,229/mo | 28.0% |
| Stearns County | Moderate$1,057/mo | $256,500 | $1,222/mo | 28.0% |
| Rice County | Moderate$1,046/mo | $298,500 | $1,399/mo | 28.0% |
| Lake County | Moderate$1,026/mo | $222,900 | $947/mo | 23.0% |
| Dodge County | Moderate$1,007/mo | $267,500 | $1,405/mo | 25.0% |
| Steele County | Moderate$1,006/mo | $234,200 | $1,258/mo | 33.0% |
| Kanabec County | Moderate$1,003/mo | $221,100 | $1,143/mo | 25.0% |
| Clay County | Moderate$1,000/mo | $256,000 | $1,376/mo | 31.0% |
| Beltrami County | Affordable$991/mo | $222,300 | $970/mo | 26.0% |
| St. Louis County | Affordable$970/mo | $208,500 | $1,034/mo | 31.0% |
| Carlton County | Affordable$967/mo | $232,000 | $1,312/mo | 26.0% |
| Crow Wing County | Affordable$962/mo | $274,400 | $1,141/mo | 27.0% |
| Itasca County | Affordable$944/mo | $212,000 | $967/mo | 33.0% |
| Goodhue County | Affordable$939/mo | $269,400 | $1,268/mo | 29.0% |
| Brown County | Affordable$931/mo | $181,700 | $901/mo | 28.0% |
| Nicollet County | Affordable$931/mo | $258,500 | $1,278/mo | 26.0% |
| Hubbard County | Affordable$923/mo | $255,900 | $1,057/mo | 29.0% |
| Benton County | Affordable$917/mo | $247,100 | $1,295/mo | 24.0% |
| Aitkin County | Affordable$912/mo | $235,100 | $838/mo | 29.0% |
| Mille Lacs County | Affordable$909/mo | $237,500 | $1,247/mo | 28.0% |
| McLeod County | Affordable$906/mo | $233,400 | $1,187/mo | 24.0% |
| Pennington County | Affordable$900/mo | $188,900 | $1,076/mo | 23.0% |
| Swift County | Affordable$900/mo | $147,100 | $761/mo | 32.0% |
| Becker County | Affordable$899/mo | $266,900 | $1,095/mo | 28.0% |
| Douglas County | Affordable$896/mo | $291,700 | $1,240/mo | 24.0% |
| Meeker County | Affordable$894/mo | $228,900 | $1,128/mo | 25.0% |
| Cass County | Affordable$889/mo | $262,300 | $954/mo | 26.0% |
| Cook County | Affordable$886/mo | $294,000 | $1,053/mo | 23.0% |
| Roseau County | Affordable$886/mo | $177,100 | $1,019/mo | 25.0% |
| Le Sueur County | Affordable$885/mo | $287,700 | $1,336/mo | 29.0% |
| Houston County | Affordable$881/mo | $226,300 | $969/mo | 27.0% |
| Pine County | Affordable$873/mo | $225,600 | $1,051/mo | 29.0% |
| Lake of the Woods County | Affordable$867/mo | $215,000 | $839/mo | 31.0% |
| Winona County | Affordable$866/mo | $222,900 | $1,068/mo | 28.0% |
| Nobles County | Affordable$863/mo | $179,200 | $816/mo | 22.0% |
| Sibley County | Affordable$858/mo | $215,000 | $1,113/mo | 24.0% |
| Pope County | Affordable$851/mo | $242,800 | $1,085/mo | 32.0% |
| Todd County | Affordable$850/mo | $188,400 | $863/mo | 27.0% |
| Mower County | Affordable$848/mo | $172,000 | $994/mo | 27.0% |
| Chippewa County | Affordable$846/mo | $149,000 | $936/mo | 27.0% |
| Kandiyohi County | Affordable$843/mo | $230,500 | $1,151/mo | 24.0% |
| Polk County | Affordable$843/mo | $211,100 | $1,085/mo | 34.0% |
| Faribault County | Affordable$837/mo | $120,200 | $826/mo | 25.0% |
| Freeborn County | Affordable$837/mo | $164,900 | $888/mo | 26.0% |
| Stevens County | Affordable$833/mo | $180,800 | $887/mo | 25.0% |
| Waseca County | Affordable$819/mo | $213,200 | $1,139/mo | 26.0% |
| Lac qui Parle County | Affordable$809/mo | $143,400 | $754/mo | 22.0% |
| Watonwan County | Affordable$807/mo | $151,600 | $888/mo | 25.0% |
| Otter Tail County | Affordable$805/mo | $252,500 | $997/mo | 28.0% |
| Wabasha County | Affordable$798/mo | $245,800 | $1,161/mo | 27.0% |
| Morrison County | Affordable$782/mo | $237,000 | $1,063/mo | 23.0% |
| Grant County | Affordable$779/mo | $178,600 | $929/mo | 26.0% |
| Koochiching County | Affordable$774/mo | $143,700 | $753/mo | 23.0% |
| Murray County | Affordable$768/mo | $179,400 | $834/mo | 20.0% |
| Redwood County | Affordable$767/mo | $150,400 | $784/mo | 25.0% |
| Cottonwood County | Affordable$765/mo | $154,000 | $835/mo | 22.0% |
| Fillmore County | Affordable$763/mo | $204,000 | $1,049/mo | 25.0% |
| Renville County | Affordable$760/mo | $151,900 | $863/mo | 29.0% |
| Norman County | Affordable$752/mo | $135,700 | $826/mo | 23.0% |
| Rock County | Affordable$745/mo | $201,600 | $906/mo | 26.0% |
| Lyon County | Affordable$742/mo | $193,100 | $934/mo | 26.0% |
| Clearwater County | Affordable$740/mo | $177,100 | $887/mo | 26.0% |
| Marshall County | Affordable$737/mo | $153,300 | $791/mo | 24.0% |
| Jackson County | Affordable$736/mo | $145,400 | $760/mo | 22.0% |
| Martin County | Affordable$735/mo | $158,800 | $838/mo | 29.0% |
| Pipestone County | Affordable$731/mo | $126,700 | $787/mo | 29.0% |
| Kittson County | Affordable$728/mo | $134,400 | $772/mo | 22.0% |
| Big Stone County | Affordable$718/mo | $135,700 | $750/mo | 27.0% |
| Wadena County | Affordable$706/mo | $170,500 | $883/mo | 25.0% |
| Lincoln County | Affordable$688/mo | $152,200 | $777/mo | 24.0% |
| Yellow Medicine County | Affordable$688/mo | $148,200 | $904/mo | 22.0% |
| Mahnomen County | Affordable$685/mo | $146,500 | $757/mo | 24.0% |
| Red Lake County | Affordable$628/mo | $157,200 | $901/mo | 20.0% |
| Traverse County | Affordable$617/mo | $110,100 | $751/mo | 27.0% |
| Wilkin County | Affordable$561/mo | $172,300 | $907/mo | 25.0% |
Compare Minnesota to Other States
See how Minnesota counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Minnesota?
What is the most expensive county to live in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Minnesota?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.