Cost of Living in Bemidji, MN
Population 15,490 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Bemidji is a smaller Minnesota community of around 15000 residents, where median household incomes of $53,850 and housing costs ($190,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 21% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Geographically, Bemidji lies roughly 100 miles east of the nearest major metro, Fargo. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Fargo's $270,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bemidji
The median home value in Bemidji is $189,500 — 38% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,004/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,850/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. Overall, Bemidji has a cost of living index of 68 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bemidji, MN?
Bemidji has a cost index of 68 (100 = national average). It is 32% below the national average.
What is average rent in Bemidji, MN?
The median gross rent in Bemidji is $1,004 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bemidji?
The median home value in Bemidji is $189,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bemidji?
The median household income in Bemidji is $53,850 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bemidji, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bemidji is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Bemidji, MN affordable?
Yes, Bemidji is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 68 — about 32% below the US national average of 100.
Bemidji at a Glance
- Population
- 15,490
- Median Income
- $53,850
- Home Value
- $189,500
- Median Rent
- $1,004/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.2%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
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