Cost of Living in Faribault, MN

Population 24,458 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

78
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Faribault sits on the smaller end of the Minnesota city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Located 45 miles west of Rochester, Faribault falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Rochester's $288,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 77
Rent 79

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

About the Cost of Living in Faribault

The median home value in Faribault is $233,900 — 23% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,041/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,662/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, 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, Faribault has a cost of living index of 78 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$233,900
23% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$293,769
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
21% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,600/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
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 65.4%
Renter-occupied 34.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,041
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,655/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
21.8 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.6%
Carpooled
17.6%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
2.3%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
5.3%

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
$61,662
17% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,009
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
19% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor Force Participation
57.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.7%
Graduate degree 5.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 37.3
Female median age 40

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

76%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
3,506
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Faribault, MN?

Faribault has a cost index of 78 (100 = national average). It is 22% below the national average.

What is average rent in Faribault, MN?

The median gross rent in Faribault is $1,041 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Faribault?

The median home value in Faribault is $233,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Faribault?

The median household income in Faribault is $61,662 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Faribault, MN?

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

Is Faribault, MN affordable?

Yes, Faribault is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 78 — about 22% below the US national average of 100.

Faribault at a Glance

Population
24,458
Median Income
$61,662
Home Value
$233,900
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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