Cost of Living in Monticello, MN

Population 14,607 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

103
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monticello is a smaller Minnesota community of around 15000 residents, where median household incomes of $81,563 and housing costs ($298,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.2% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Monticello is about 35 miles northwest of Minneapolis, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 14% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 98
Rent 111

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

About the Cost of Living in Monticello

The median home value in Monticello is $298,400 — 2% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,462/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,563/year is 9% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, 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, Monticello has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$298,400
2% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$329,764
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,462/mo
11% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,526/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0x
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 64.9%
Renter-occupied 35.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,462
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,076/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
29.9 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.5%
Carpooled
11.7%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
10.3%

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
$81,563
9% above avg
Per Capita Income
$34,071
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
54% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Labor Force Participation
75.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.3%
Graduate degree 7.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.7
Male median age 34
Female median age 33.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
52.4%
Good air days/yr
186
Max AQI recorded
236
PM2.5 days
113
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
4,201
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Monticello, MN?

Monticello has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.

What is average rent in Monticello, MN?

The median gross rent in Monticello is $1,462 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monticello?

The median home value in Monticello is $298,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monticello?

The median household income in Monticello is $81,563 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monticello, MN?

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

Is Monticello, MN affordable?

Monticello is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 103 (100 = US average).

Monticello at a Glance

Population
14,607
Median Income
$81,563
Home Value
$298,400
Median Rent
$1,462/mo
Unemployment
2.2%
Sales Tax
7.4%
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🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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