COLD

Cost of Living in Big Lake, MN

Population 12,115 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

101
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Big Lake a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $292,000.

Located 35 miles northwest of Minneapolis, Big Lake falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 96
Rent 108

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Big Lake

The median home value in Big Lake is $291,700 — 4% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,417/month, 8% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $113,333/year is 52% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, below 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, Big Lake has a cost of living index of 101 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$291,700
4% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$364,916
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,417/mo
8% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,605/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.2x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$702
1 BR
$784
2 BR
$937
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,537
Owner-occupied 86.7%
Renter-occupied 13.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,417
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,031/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
35.2 min
30% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
12.9%
Public transit
1.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
8.8%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.4%
State rate 6.9%
Avg local rate 0.6%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$113,333
52% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,849
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
27% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Labor Force Participation
81.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.1%
Graduate degree 5.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.7
Male median age 29.7
Female median age 35.4

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
22.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
3,067
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Big Lake, MN?

Big Lake has a cost index of 101 (100 = national average). It is 1% above the national average.

What is average rent in Big Lake, MN?

The median gross rent in Big Lake is $1,417 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Big Lake?

The median home value in Big Lake is $291,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Big Lake?

The median household income in Big Lake is $113,333 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Big Lake, MN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Big Lake is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.

Is Big Lake, MN affordable?

Big Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 101 (100 = US average).

Big Lake at a Glance

Population
12,115
Median Income
$113,333
Home Value
$291,700
Median Rent
$1,417/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Sales Tax
7.4%
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