Cost of Living in Freeborn County, Minnesota
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Freeborn County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Freeborn County ranks #1,695 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 46%)
Sourced county brief
Freeborn County Renter Median Income Reaches $34,531
In Freeborn County, the median income for renter households was estimated at $34,531. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 27.2%, which is 0.1 percentage points lower than the Minnesota unweighted county mean of 27.3%. Median gross rent in the county was $849 per month, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $938. For homeowners, the median home value was $171,100, while the state unweighted county mean was $238,336. The median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied housing units was $935, which is $181 below the state unweighted county mean of $1,116. These statistics represent a snapshot from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Freeborn County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.2% of renter household income in Freeborn County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $849 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $935. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $33,960 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Minnesota unweighted mean of county median rents is $938 per month. Freeborn County's $849 median is 9.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Freeborn County
Rent Burden
14.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,657
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Freeborn County
Median home value is $171,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,366 vs. your max of $1,657.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Freeborn County, Minnesota?
What is the median rent in Freeborn County?
Is Freeborn County affordable?
How does Freeborn County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Freeborn County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Freeborn County, Minnesota? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Freeborn County
Whether you're buying in Freeborn County, Minnesota, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.