You’ll need to have a Minnesota Woodsman’s ethos to enjoy the lowest cost of living places in the North Star State.
It turns out the exurbs are home to the most affordable places to live in Minnesota
We determined the most affordable places to live in Minnesota using Saturday Night Science. Using the Census data for home prices, incomes, and cost of living, we ranked every city in Minnesota in terms of affordability.
So, crank some Purple Rain, grab some hot dish, and read on to find your place amongst the 11,000 lakes.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in Minnesota
What is the most affordable place to live in Minnesota? The most affordable place to live in Minnesota is Thief River Falls after crunching data from the US Census regarding median housing costs, median income, and overall cost of living for cities with over 5,000 residents.
Affordability in the North Star State means you can spend the extra change in your pocket on Minnesota Vikings tickets, a cabin on Leech Lake, or a staycation in one of Minnesota’s big cities.
Check out some more reading about Minnesota and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Minnesota For 2024
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Population: 8,871
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 83
Median Income: $65,086
Median Home Price: $188,664
Median Rent: $921
Thief River Falls, in Pennington County, ranks first in affordability within Minnesota with a $188,664 median home value and a $921 median rent. Affordable attractions in the town include the Thief River Falls Public Library and the Pennington County Historical Society.
The overall cost-of-living index is 83, ensuring that thrift thrives in Thief River Falls.
More on Thief River Falls: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 5,795
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 83
Median Income: $54,680
Median Home Price: $104,810
Median Rent: $684
Located on the border of Canada, International Falls goes by the nickname “Icebox of the Nation.” But if you can withstand the bitter cold, International Falls has some sweet deals for you. The first least expensive homes in Minnesota are in International Falls, where the median home price is $104,810. With residents earning a median income of $54,680, International Falls has one of the best home price to income ratios in the state.
As a budgeting bonus, admission to Smokey Bear Park is totally free. Just don’t get spooked by the 26-foot bear when you drive in.
More on International Falls: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 18,434
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $56,347
Median Home Price: $145,782
Median Rent: $814
Albert Lea, situated in the southern part of Minnesota, shines as the third most affordable city thanks to its reasonable housing costs, where it ranks 4.0 in home values, and a favorable 2.59 ratio. The city’s economic stability is evident through its placement in the 4th quartile for income levels and a modest 5.12%, ensuring that living expenses are well within reach for its residents. Albert Lea leverages its location at the crossroads of Interstates 35 and 90, offering both affordability and a high quality of life in MN.
More on Albert Lea: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 13,838
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $58,690
Median Home Price: $209,517
Median Rent: $871
It’s definitely worth the savings to consider moving to Worthington in southwestern Minnesota. The city’s cost of living is 18.4% cheaper than the Minnesota average, making it an economical enclave.
According to Zillow data, the city’s housing market is affordable, with a median home value of $209,517. You can use that money you save on housing to add bacon to your next Jucy Lucy.
More on Worthington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 13,647
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $60,532
Median Home Price: $221,674
Median Rent: $715
Next, we marshall you along to Marshall, the fifth least expensive city in the North Star State. Like any upstanding Sargeant, Marshall offers its residents the peace of mind of an overall cost of living 19 points better than the state average.
Located in Lyon County in western Minnesota, Marshall is close to Camden State Park for affordable fun.
More on Marshall: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 7,472
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $52,557
Median Home Price: $174,805
Median Rent: $825
You don’t need to be a crook to have all the money you need in Crookston, the sixth most inexpensive city in Minnesota. The median home price in Crookston is $174,805 and the median income is $52,557, so paying off the mortgage in Crookston happens in no time flat. With a median rent of $825, Crookston isn’t as affordable for renters, when looked at as a proportion of income.
Crookston is in the northwestern part of the state, a half hour southeast of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
More on Crookston: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 26,156
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 86
Median Income: $61,667
Median Home Price: $159,687
Median Rent: $877
Austin ranks as the seventh most affordable city in Minnesota for 2024.
Austin’s overall cost of living index of 86 is supported by low index values for utilities, services, and healthcare. According to Zillow, home prices are only $159,687, which is seventh cheapest in the state.
More on Austin: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 10,411
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 86
Median Income: $56,744
Median Home Price: $155,351
Median Rent: $748
Fairmont makes the cut as the eighth most affordable place in Minnesota by virtue of having the sixth cheapest homes in the state. The median home price in Fairmont is $155,351 and the median income is $56,744, so it’s a piece of cake paying the mortgage off. Complete with seven parks and countless nature trails, you’ll never go wanting for free entertainment in Fairmont either.
Fairmont is located in the south-central part of Minnesota, near the Iowa border.
More on Fairmont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 9,208
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 87
Median Income: $62,632
Median Home Price: $229,401
Median Rent: $838
Waseca snuck onto the list of the least expensive locales in Minnesota this year. With an overall cost of living index of 87, the city is 15.5% cheaper than the Minnesota average city.
Relative to the rest of the list, Waseca scored well for utilities, meaning you’ll pay less for heat and save that money for heating a campfire during a camping trip to Kiesler’s Campground.
More on Waseca: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
10. Redwood Falls
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Population: 5,091
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 87
Median Income: $64,214
Median Home Price: $149,029
Median Rent: $833
Located in the south-central part of the state, Redwood Falls ranks as the tenth most affordable city in Minnesota. Redwood Falls has the fifth cheapest homes in the state, with a median price tag of $149,029. Coupled with a median income of $64,214, Redwood Falls has the second lowest home price to income ratio in Minnesota. If you stick to free activities like hiking at Alexander Ramsey Park, you’ll have even more money left in your wallet at the end of every week.
More on Redwood Falls: Real Estate
Cheapest places to live in Minnesota FAQs
The county in Minnesota with the lowest cost of living is Faribault County. The average living wage in Faribault County is $83,518 according to MIT data. Faribault County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Minnesota as a whole. Childcare costs $12,417 a year in Faribault County for two children compared to the Minnesota average of $17,401. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $8,808 per year in Faribault County compared to $13,400 on average in Minnesota.
The cost of living in Minnesota is 5.2% higher than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Minnesota is $94,430 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a Minnesota household is $73,382.
The cheapest housing market in Minnesota is Virginia. The average home value in Virginia is $90,800, the lowest in the state. The average home value in Minnesota is $235,700, almost 2.6 times higher than Virginia.
Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the North Star State for 2024
Determining affordability for places in Minnesota boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2018-2022 for Minnesota using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in Minnesota to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 146 places in Minnesota that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in Minnesota with the lowest cost of living according to the data is Thief River Falls.
We updated this article for 2024. This report reflects our tenth time ranking the cheapest places to live in Minnesota.
Minnesota Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in Minnesota for 2024, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in Minnesota.
The cheapest cities in Minnesota are Thief River Falls, International Falls, Albert Lea, Worthington, Marshall, Crookston, Austin, Fairmont, Waseca, and Redwood Falls.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in Minnesota according to the data:
- Orono
- North Oaks
- Medina
For more Minnesota reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Minnesota
- Most Dangerous Cities In Minnesota
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Minnesota
Cheapest Places To Live In Minnesota
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thief River Falls | 8,871 | 83 | $65,086 | $188,664 | $921 |
| 2 | International Falls | 5,795 | 83 | $54,680 | $104,810 | $684 |
| 3 | Albert Lea | 18,434 | 84 | $56,347 | $145,782 | $814 |
| 4 | Worthington | 13,838 | 84 | $58,690 | $209,517 | $871 |
| 5 | Marshall | 13,647 | 84 | $60,532 | $221,674 | $715 |
| 6 | Crookston | 7,472 | 84 | $52,557 | $174,805 | $825 |
| 7 | Austin | 26,156 | 86 | $61,667 | $159,687 | $877 |
| 8 | Fairmont | 10,411 | 86 | $56,744 | $155,351 | $748 |
| 9 | Waseca | 9,208 | 87 | $62,632 | $229,401 | $838 |
| 10 | Redwood Falls | 5,091 | 87 | $64,214 | $149,029 | $833 |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,415 | 88 | $49,789 | $122,426 | $778 |
| 12 | Faribault | 24,418 | 89 | $58,881 | $275,401 | $1,044 |
| 13 | Bemidji | 15,441 | 90 | $49,799 | $201,734 | $955 |
| 14 | New Ulm | 14,055 | 91 | $59,985 | $215,828 | $883 |
| 15 | Stewartville | 6,684 | 91 | $92,961 | $304,105 | $945 |
| 16 | Montevideo | 5,350 | 91 | $49,435 | $188,019 | $762 |
| 17 | Owatonna | 26,400 | 92 | $78,295 | $269,150 | $925 |
| 18 | Little Falls | 9,084 | 92 | $44,455 | $250,605 | $775 |
| 19 | Glencoe | 5,712 | 92 | $67,547 | $231,977 | $851 |
| 20 | Rochester | 120,848 | 93 | $83,973 | $309,298 | $1,218 |
| 21 | Moorhead | 44,443 | 93 | $68,680 | $257,334 | $997 |
| 22 | Winona | 26,083 | 93 | $52,500 | $220,768 | $773 |
| 23 | Detroit Lakes | 9,966 | 93 | $60,317 | $361,398 | $894 |
| 24 | Kasson | 6,855 | 93 | $91,581 | $298,905 | $796 |
| 25 | Isanti | 6,850 | 93 | $76,146 | $316,531 | $1,118 |
| 26 | Mankato | 44,444 | 94 | $61,726 | $283,705 | $1,023 |
| 27 | Red Wing | 16,627 | 94 | $65,107 | $270,582 | $910 |
| 28 | Hibbing | 16,167 | 94 | $52,881 | $142,670 | $698 |
| 29 | Cambridge | 9,726 | 94 | $64,286 | $306,192 | $1,207 |
| 30 | East Grand Forks | 9,118 | 94 | $81,783 | $260,596 | $826 |
| 31 | Brooklyn Center | 33,109 | 95 | $70,692 | $278,078 | $1,249 |
| 32 | South St. Paul | 20,598 | 95 | $82,644 | $280,795 | $1,094 |
| 33 | Brainerd | 14,412 | 96 | $46,933 | $283,659 | $799 |
| 34 | Fergus Falls | 14,108 | 96 | $48,738 | $183,271 | $755 |
| 35 | Cloquet | 12,559 | 96 | $59,647 | $225,901 | $980 |
| 36 | St. Peter | 12,039 | 96 | $67,255 | $272,777 | $928 |
| 37 | Belle Plaine | 7,363 | 96 | $94,698 | $337,852 | $1,256 |
| 38 | Duluth | 86,772 | 97 | $63,545 | $257,413 | $990 |
| 39 | Fridley | 29,731 | 97 | $76,592 | $302,586 | $1,227 |
| 40 | North Mankato | 14,238 | 97 | $74,602 | $285,195 | $886 |
| 41 | Litchfield | 6,598 | 97 | $60,804 | $224,619 | $878 |
| 42 | St. Paul Park | 5,497 | 97 | $92,760 | $293,855 | $1,689 |
| 43 | Morris | 5,094 | 97 | $59,261 | $187,428 | $816 |
| 44 | St. Cloud | 68,910 | 98 | $58,910 | $233,113 | $944 |
| 45 | Hastings | 22,063 | 98 | $87,722 | $313,784 | $1,146 |
| 46 | Willmar | 21,006 | 98 | $59,132 | $219,141 | $791 |
| 47 | West St. Paul | 20,820 | 98 | $68,359 | $296,144 | $1,204 |
| 48 | Anoka | 17,892 | 98 | $73,118 | $308,373 | $1,179 |
| 49 | Grand Rapids | 11,158 | 98 | $53,317 | $234,222 | $946 |
| 50 | North Branch | 10,968 | 98 | $94,564 | $332,334 | $1,085 |
| 51 | St. Joseph | 7,066 | 98 | $74,318 | $303,966 | $1,037 |
| 52 | Byron | 6,373 | 98 | $126,250 | $362,923 | $989 |
| 53 | Lake City | 5,108 | 98 | $71,324 | $289,322 | $971 |
| 54 | St. Paul | 308,806 | 99 | $69,919 | $278,672 | $1,174 |
| 55 | Northfield | 20,518 | 99 | $83,125 | $358,052 | $955 |
| 56 | Hutchinson | 14,588 | 99 | $64,635 | $275,891 | $841 |
| 57 | Sauk Rapids | 13,830 | 99 | $66,442 | $275,189 | $927 |
| 58 | Waite Park | 8,290 | 99 | $52,391 | $229,447 | $1,023 |
| 59 | Spring Lake Park | 6,966 | 99 | $74,697 | $299,120 | $1,281 |
| 60 | Crystal | 22,954 | 100 | $86,288 | $296,320 | $1,351 |
| 61 | Mounds View | 13,100 | 100 | $89,358 | $322,091 | $1,174 |
| 62 | North St. Paul | 12,465 | 100 | $77,475 | $304,655 | $1,226 |
| 63 | Big Lake | 11,857 | 100 | $100,188 | $351,813 | $1,282 |
| 64 | La Crescent | 5,352 | 100 | $70,813 | $309,576 | $953 |
| 65 | Robbinsdale | 14,452 | 101 | $80,125 | $296,059 | $1,397 |
| 66 | Vadnais Heights | 12,864 | 101 | $89,632 | $354,501 | $1,155 |
| 67 | St. Francis | 8,198 | 101 | $98,390 | $325,664 | $1,032 |
| 68 | Zimmerman | 6,243 | 101 | $79,720 | $305,646 | $1,367 |
| 69 | Chisago City | 5,576 | 101 | $92,278 | $414,242 | $1,172 |
| 70 | Brooklyn Park | 84,951 | 102 | $82,271 | $327,075 | $1,244 |
| 71 | Coon Rapids | 63,296 | 102 | $85,445 | $310,442 | $1,393 |
| 72 | Richfield | 36,809 | 102 | $80,712 | $327,416 | $1,299 |
| 73 | Monticello | 14,447 | 102 | $80,290 | $310,024 | $1,263 |
| 74 | Alexandria | 14,400 | 102 | $57,309 | $257,770 | $852 |
| 75 | Maplewood | 41,405 | 103 | $86,769 | $320,605 | $1,291 |
| 76 | Little Canada | 10,624 | 103 | $69,673 | $351,425 | $1,282 |
| 77 | New Prague | 8,155 | 103 | $101,579 | $326,107 | $1,193 |
| 78 | Wyoming | 8,037 | 103 | $99,821 | $379,394 | $1,176 |
| 79 | Albertville | 7,883 | 103 | $107,316 | $357,047 | $1,166 |
| 80 | Minneapolis | 426,877 | 104 | $76,332 | $318,812 | $1,267 |
| 81 | Inver Grove Heights | 35,673 | 104 | $98,719 | $349,482 | $1,324 |
| 82 | White Bear Lake | 24,317 | 104 | $79,699 | $332,323 | $1,460 |
| 83 | Champlin | 23,666 | 104 | $113,570 | $347,903 | $1,478 |
| 84 | Otsego | 20,455 | 104 | $122,420 | $395,838 | $1,595 |
| 85 | Bloomington | 89,244 | 105 | $87,381 | $347,523 | $1,426 |
| 86 | Blaine | 70,047 | 105 | $100,659 | $354,091 | $1,635 |
| 87 | Oakdale | 28,029 | 105 | $86,003 | $329,457 | $1,240 |
| 88 | Elk River | 25,936 | 105 | $95,597 | $377,388 | $1,244 |
| 89 | Farmington | 23,487 | 105 | $114,737 | $373,537 | $1,214 |
| 90 | Sartell | 19,382 | 105 | $74,177 | $315,131 | $1,125 |
| 91 | Apple Valley | 55,594 | 106 | $97,588 | $363,468 | $1,607 |
| 92 | Roseville | 36,066 | 106 | $87,702 | $350,177 | $1,250 |
| 93 | New Brighton | 23,141 | 106 | $84,707 | $362,922 | $1,245 |
| 94 | Forest Lake | 20,553 | 106 | $91,157 | $387,584 | $1,343 |
| 95 | Stillwater | 19,316 | 106 | $107,986 | $417,520 | $1,449 |
| 96 | Hopkins | 18,752 | 106 | $70,058 | $317,062 | $1,284 |
| 97 | Buffalo | 16,288 | 106 | $81,868 | $354,423 | $1,037 |
| 98 | Baxter | 8,668 | 106 | $67,064 | $334,916 | $1,095 |
| 99 | Dayton | 7,745 | 106 | $138,654 | $473,645 | $1,181 |
| 100 | Jordan | 6,648 | 106 | $111,290 | $421,455 | $1,203 |