Cost of Living in Sauk Rapids, MN
Population 13,851 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Sauk Rapids a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $240,000. An unemployment rate of 2.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Sauk Rapids is about 60 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 30% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Sauk Rapids
The median home value in Sauk Rapids is $240,200 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $941/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,004/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, 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, Sauk Rapids has a cost of living index of 76 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% less expensive.
🏠 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 Sauk Rapids, MN?
Sauk Rapids has a cost index of 76 (100 = national average). It is 24% below the national average.
What is average rent in Sauk Rapids, MN?
The median gross rent in Sauk Rapids is $941 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Sauk Rapids?
The median home value in Sauk Rapids is $240,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Sauk Rapids?
The median household income in Sauk Rapids is $67,004 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Sauk Rapids, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sauk Rapids is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Sauk Rapids, MN affordable?
Yes, Sauk Rapids is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 76 — about 24% below the US national average of 100.
Sauk Rapids at a Glance
- Population
- 13,851
- Median Income
- $67,004
- Home Value
- $240,200
- Median Rent
- $941/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.6%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
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