Cost of Living in Plainview, MN
Population 3,501 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Plainview 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.
Plainview sits roughly 20 miles northeast of Rochester — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Rochester's $288,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Plainview
The median home value in Plainview is $230,600 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $774/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,800/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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, Plainview has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% less expensive.
Plainview 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Plainview, MN?
Plainview has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.
What is average rent in Plainview, MN?
The median gross rent in Plainview is $774 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Plainview?
The median home value in Plainview is $230,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Plainview?
The median household income in Plainview is $69,800 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Plainview, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Plainview is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Plainview, MN affordable?
Yes, Plainview is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.
Plainview at a Glance
- Population
- 3,501
- Median Income
- $69,800
- Home Value
- $230,600
- Median Rent
- $774/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.1%
- 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