Cost of Living in Wadena 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 Wadena County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Wadena County ranks #1,219 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 39%)
Sourced county brief
Wadena County Official Rent Burden Metric Below State Mean
In Wadena County, the official B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 23.6%. This official figure is 3.7 percentage points below the Minnesota unweighted county mean of 27.3%. Median gross rent in the county was estimated at $746 per month, which is $192 lower than the state unweighted mean of $938. For owner-occupied households, the median home value is $173,000, which is $65,336 below the state unweighted mean of $238,336. The median selected monthly owner cost is $899, or $217 below the state unweighted mean of $1,116. Median renter-household income in Wadena County is $34,877. 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: Wadena County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 23.6% of renter household income in Wadena 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 $746 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $899. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,840 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. Wadena County's $746 median is 20.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Wadena County
Rent Burden
14.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,434
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.6%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Wadena County
Median home value is $173,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,381 vs. your max of $1,434.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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
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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.
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