Cost of Living in Waseca County, Minnesota

$819/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$213,200
Median Home Value
10% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$819/mo
10% below state average
Median Home Value
$213,200
24% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
26.0%
% 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 Waseca County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Waseca County$819/mo
Minnesota Average$915/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$819/mo
Median Gross Rent
$213,200
Median Home Value
$1,139/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
26.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Waseca County, Minnesota

Waseca rents remain below national benchmarks

At 13.1%, Waseca's rent-to-income ratio beats the national standard and undercuts Minnesota's state average of 14.5%. Renters here spend roughly $819 monthly on housing while earning a median household income of $75,052—nearly matching the U.S. median of $74,755.

More affordable than most Minnesota counties

Waseca ranks among Minnesota's more affordable housing markets, with renters paying $96 less per month than the state average of $915. The county's 13.1% rent-to-income ratio places it solidly in the affordable tier statewide.

Competitive with nearby rural counties

Waseca's $819 monthly rent sits between Watonwan County ($807) and Winona County ($866), offering moderate pricing in Minnesota's south-central region. Home values at $213,200 are reasonable for the area, positioning Waseca as a middle-ground option among rural neighbors.

Renters and buyers both find value

Renters dedicate 13.1% of income to monthly rent, while homeowners spend roughly 18.2% on mortgage and owner costs ($1,139 monthly). Together, these figures show Waseca's housing is genuinely affordable across both rental and ownership markets.

Consider Waseca for balanced affordability

If you're relocating to Minnesota and value lower housing costs without sacrificing income potential, Waseca delivers solid fundamentals: sub-14% rent ratios and median incomes near the national average. Compare Waseca's $819 rents to pricier neighbors like Washington County ($1,637) to see the savings potential.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Waseca County

$

Rent Burden

13.1%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,751

per month

Owner Cost Burden

18.2%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Waseca County

Median home value is $213,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,702 vs. your max of $1,751.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio13.1%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waseca County, Minnesota?
Waseca County, Minnesota has a median monthly rent of $819/mo and a median home value of $213,200. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 26.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Waseca County?
The median gross rent in Waseca County is $819/mo. This is 10% below state average for Minnesota.
Is Waseca County affordable?
Waseca County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 26.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Waseca County's rent compare to the state average?
Waseca County's median rent of $819/mo is 10% below state average of $915/mo for Minnesota.
What is the median home value in Waseca County?
The median home value in Waseca County, Minnesota is $213,200. This is 24% 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.