Cost of Living in Melrose, MN
Population 3,608 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Melrose 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 90 miles northwest of Minneapolis, Melrose is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Melrose
The median home value in Melrose is $198,300 — 35% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,061/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,107/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, 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, Melrose has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.
Melrose 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
💨 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 Melrose, MN?
Melrose has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.
What is average rent in Melrose, MN?
The median gross rent in Melrose is $1,061 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Melrose?
The median home value in Melrose is $198,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Melrose?
The median household income in Melrose is $58,107 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Melrose, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Melrose is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Melrose, MN affordable?
Yes, Melrose is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.
Melrose at a Glance
- Population
- 3,608
- Median Income
- $58,107
- Home Value
- $198,300
- Median Rent
- $1,061/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.3%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs