Cost of Living in Blue Earth, MN
Population 3,170 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Blue Earth is a smaller Minnesota community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $59,118 and housing costs ($125,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.1% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 85 miles west of Rochester, Blue Earth is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 56% lower than Rochester's $288,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Blue Earth
The median home value in Blue Earth is $125,200 — 59% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $916/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,118/year is 21% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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, Blue Earth has a cost of living index of 53 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 47% less expensive.
Blue Earth has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Blue Earth, MN?
Blue Earth has a cost index of 53 (100 = national average). It is 47% below the national average.
What is average rent in Blue Earth, MN?
The median gross rent in Blue Earth is $916 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Blue Earth?
The median home value in Blue Earth is $125,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Blue Earth?
The median household income in Blue Earth is $59,118 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Blue Earth, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Blue Earth is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Blue Earth, MN affordable?
Yes, Blue Earth is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 53 — about 47% below the US national average of 100.
Blue Earth at a Glance
- Population
- 3,170
- Median Income
- $59,118
- Home Value
- $125,200
- Median Rent
- $916/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.1%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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