Cost of Living in Moose Lake, MN
Population 3,297 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Moose 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. A poverty rate near 45% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Moose Lake lies roughly 105 miles north of the nearest major metro, St. Paul — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than St. Paul's $280,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Moose Lake
The median home value in Moose Lake is $205,000 — 33% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $901/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,576/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 51.7°F and lows of 31.1°F. Overall, Moose Lake has a cost of living index of 68 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% less expensive.
Moose Lake 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 20 | 26 | 38 | 52 | 66 | 75 | 79 | 77 | 69 | 55 | 39 | 25 |
| Low °F | 2 | 6 | 18 | 30 | 41 | 52 | 56 | 54 | 46 | 35 | 22 | 10 |
| Precip" | 0.76 | 1.14 | 1.70 | 2.91 | 3.41 | 4.37 | 5.55 | 3.74 | 3.47 | 3.05 | 1.85 | 1.39 |
💨 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 Moose Lake, MN?
Moose Lake has a cost index of 68 (100 = national average). It is 32% below the national average.
What is average rent in Moose Lake, MN?
The median gross rent in Moose Lake is $901 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Moose Lake?
The median home value in Moose Lake is $205,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Moose Lake?
The median household income in Moose Lake is $61,576 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Moose Lake, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Moose Lake is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Moose Lake, MN affordable?
Yes, Moose Lake is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 68 — about 32% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Moose Lake?
Moose Lake has average high temperatures of 51.7°F and average lows of 31.1°F. Annual precipitation is 33.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Moose Lake at a Glance
- Population
- 3,297
- Median Income
- $61,576
- Home Value
- $205,000
- Median Rent
- $901/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.1%
- Avg High Temp
- 51.7°F
- 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