Cost of Living in Blaine, MN

Population 71,261 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Blaine cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $328,000, rents near $1,707 a month.

Located 15 miles north of Minneapolis, Blaine falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Minneapolis' $346,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 107
Rent 130

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

About the Cost of Living in Blaine

The median home value in Blaine is $327,500 — 7% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,707/month, 30% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,382/year is 39% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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, Blaine has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$327,500
7% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$374,641
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,707/mo
30% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,940/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.0x
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 85.0%
Renter-occupied 15.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,707
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,321/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
27.1 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.9%
Carpooled
7.9%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
0.4%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
19.8%

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
$103,382
39% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,640
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
7% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Labor Force Participation
69.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.2%
Graduate degree 10.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.3
Male median age 36.9
Female median age 37.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
59.5%
Good air days/yr
175
Max AQI recorded
164
PM2.5 days
194
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

34%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
1
Public schools
181
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Blaine, MN?

Blaine has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in Blaine, MN?

The median gross rent in Blaine is $1,707 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Blaine?

The median home value in Blaine is $327,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Blaine?

The median household income in Blaine is $103,382 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Blaine, MN?

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

Is Blaine, MN affordable?

Blaine is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.