Cost of Living in Forest Lake, MN
Population 20,678 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Forest Lake 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.
Forest Lake sits roughly 20 miles northeast of St. Paul — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 34% higher than St. Paul's $280,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Forest Lake
The median home value in Forest Lake is $375,900 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,379/month, 5% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $89,879/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, 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, Forest Lake has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more 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 Forest Lake, MN?
Forest Lake has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.
What is average rent in Forest Lake, MN?
The median gross rent in Forest Lake is $1,379 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Forest Lake?
The median home value in Forest Lake is $375,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Forest Lake?
The median household income in Forest Lake is $89,879 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Forest Lake, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Forest Lake is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Forest Lake, MN affordable?
Forest Lake is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.
Forest Lake at a Glance
- Population
- 20,678
- Median Income
- $89,879
- Home Value
- $375,900
- Median Rent
- $1,379/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.6%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
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