Cost of Living in Long Prairie, MN

Population 3,683 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

54
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Long Prairie 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Long Prairie lies roughly 105 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Minneapolis. Median home values run roughly 62% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 43
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Long Prairie

The median home value in Long Prairie is $130,100 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $942/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,139/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, 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, Long Prairie has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$130,100
57% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$172,333
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$942/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.5x
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 63.6%
Renter-occupied 36.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$942
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,556/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
22.0 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.5%
Carpooled
6.8%
Public transit
6.1%
Walked
7.4%
Work from home
7.5%

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
$57,139
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,528
Unemployment Rate
6.3%
31% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor Force Participation
56.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.8%
Graduate degree 2.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.3
Male median age 34.8
Female median age 39.6

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
955
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Long Prairie, MN?

Long Prairie has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.

What is average rent in Long Prairie, MN?

The median gross rent in Long Prairie is $942 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Long Prairie?

The median home value in Long Prairie is $130,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Long Prairie?

The median household income in Long Prairie is $57,139 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Long Prairie, MN?

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

Is Long Prairie, MN affordable?

Yes, Long Prairie is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.

Long Prairie at a Glance

Population
3,683
Median Income
$57,139
Home Value
$130,100
Median Rent
$942/mo
Unemployment
6.3%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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