Cost of Living in Big Stone County, Minnesota

$718/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$135,700
Median Home Value
22% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$718/mo
22% below state average
Median Home Value
$135,700
52% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
27.0%
% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating
Unaffordable
Rent over 50% of income

How Big Stone County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Big Stone County$718/mo
Minnesota Average$915/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$718/mo
Median Gross Rent
$135,700
Median Home Value
$750/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
27.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Big Stone County, Minnesota

Big Stone County leads in affordability

Big Stone County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.2% sits below both the national average (14.5%) and most state peers, making it Minnesota's most affordable county for renters. With a median rent of just $718 and household incomes of $65,475, housing costs consume the smallest share of income in this analysis.

Minnesota's most affordable housing market

Big Stone County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among the state's best for affordability, beating Minnesota's 14.5% average by over a full percentage point. The $718 median rent is the lowest in this county set, reflecting Big Stone's rural character and lower cost of living.

The clear regional affordability leader

Big Stone's $718 median rent dramatically undercuts every neighboring county: Aitkin ($912), Benton ($917), Becker ($899), and Blue Earth ($1,076). This county's rural isolation delivers genuine housing bargains unavailable in more developed regions.

Housing leaves room in the budget

Renters pay just $718 monthly while homeowners face $750—the lowest combined housing costs in this county set—on a $65,475 median income. This leaves Big Stone households roughly 22% of income for non-housing expenses, providing genuine financial breathing room.

Affordability champion for budget movers

Big Stone County is ideal if housing affordability is your priority: median rents and home values ($135,700) are the lowest available in Minnesota. Factor in that job markets and amenities are more limited here—the trade-off for this affordability advantage is geographic and economic isolation.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Big Stone County

$

Rent Burden

13.2%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,528

per month

Owner Cost Burden

13.7%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Big Stone County

Median home value is $135,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,083 vs. your max of $1,528.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio13.2%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Big Stone County, Minnesota?
Big Stone County, Minnesota has a median monthly rent of $718/mo and a median home value of $135,700. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 27.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Big Stone County?
The median gross rent in Big Stone County is $718/mo. This is 22% below state average for Minnesota.
Is Big Stone County affordable?
Big Stone County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 27.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Big Stone County's rent compare to the state average?
Big Stone County's median rent of $718/mo is 22% below state average of $915/mo for Minnesota.
What is the median home value in Big Stone County?
The median home value in Big Stone County, Minnesota is $135,700. This is 52% below the national median home value of $281,900.
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.