7 Most Affordable Places to Live in Minnesota in 2024
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota is undoubtedly one of the gems of the upper Midwest. With its vibrant cities home to renowned theaters and museums to its nature like the iconic Lake Superior and the lush Superior National Forest, there are plenty of reasons you may be considering living in Minnesota. If Minnesota sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious what cities fit into your budget. When it comes to buying a home in Minnesota, the median home sale price is $355,000.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 7 of the most affordable places to live in Minnesota. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $355,000. From St. Paul to Duluth, let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
#1: St. Cloud
Median home price: $250,000
Average sale price per square foot: $137
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $739
Median household income: $50,335
Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (70 miles)
St. Cloud, MN homes for sale
St. Cloud, MN apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $250,000, St. Cloud comes in at number one on our list of most affordable places to live in Minnesota. About 68,900 people live in this city and is roughly 70 miles from the nearest major metro, Minneapolis. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore Munsinger Gardens situated along the Mississippi River, stroll through downtown St. Cloud, or check out the St. Cloud State University campus.
#2: St. Paul
Median home price: $300,000
Average sale price per square foot: $207
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,307
Median household income: $59,717
Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (12 miles)
St. Paul, MN homes for sale
St. Paul, MN apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list of affordable cities to live in Minnesota is St. Paul, one half of the Twin Cities. When living in this city of 311,500 people, you can visit the Minnesota State Capitol or take a walk or bike ride along the Mississippi River. There is plenty to explore in the St. Paul area, so also make sure to go ice skating at the Landmark Center or shop at the St. Paul Farmers Market for some fresh local produce.
#3: Coon Rapids
Median home price: $322,450
Average sale price per square foot: $188
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,536
Median household income: $59,717
Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (16 miles)
Coon Rapids, MN homes for sale
Coon Rapids, MN apartments for rent
Another great area to add to your list is Coon Rapids, located just 16 miles north of Minneapolis. Home to 63,600 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. Living in Coon Rapids, you can explore the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and spend the afternoon at Crooked Lake.
#4: Rochester
Median home price: $322,500
Average sale price per square foot: $171
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,488
Median household income: $59,717
Nearest major metro: St. Paul (80 miles)
Rochester, MN homes for sale
Rochester, MN apartments for rent
The fourth city on our list of most affordable places to live in Minnesota is Rochester, located in the southern portion of the state. With roughly 121,400 residents in Rochester, make sure to visit museums and historic sites like the History Center of Olmsted County or Maywood Historic Home. You can also spend time outdoors exploring the nature trails at Quarry Hill Nature Center or rent a boat to take out on Silver Lake.
#5: Brooklyn Park
Median home price: $322,500
Average sale price per square foot: $182
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,585
Median household income: $73,207
Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (11 miles)
Brooklyn Park, MN homes for sale
Brooklyn Park, MN apartments for rent
Claiming the next spot on our list of affordable places to live in Minnesota is Brooklyn Park. With a population of about 86,500, living in Brooklyn Park is a great option for those looking for a mid-sized city to live in. Don’t miss out on visiting one of the parks in town or explore the Mississippi Gateway Regional Park once moving to the area.
#6: Duluth
Median home price: $335,000
Average sale price per square foot: $194
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,495
Median household income: $54,084
Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (155 miles)
Duluth, MN homes for sale
Duluth, MN apartments for rent
About 86,700 people reside in Duluth which is situated along the shores of Lake Superior. The median home sale price is $335,000 which is about $20K less than the median home sale price in Minnesota. Make sure to visit the Glensheen Mansion, take a scenic drive along the North Shore, visit the Lake Superior Zoo, or take a walk or bike ride along the Duluth Lakewalk if you move to the sixth most affordable city.
#7: Minneapolis
Median home price: $340,000
Average sale price per square foot: $229
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,476
Median household income: $66,068
Minneapolis, MN homes for sale
Minneapolis, MN apartments for rent
The other half of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, is the final place on our list. The home prices are about $15K less than the state’s average. And with about 429,900 people living in Minneapolis, it’s a great place to consider living in this year. Make sure to check out all the local vendors at the Minneapolis Farmers Market and visit museums like Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, and the Bakken Museum. You can also spend the day exploring the Chain of Lakes and stop by the Stone Arch Bridge. No matter what neighborhood you move to in Minneapolis, there are countless things to explore in this city.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Minnesota. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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