Cost of Living in Scandia, MN

Population 3,966 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Scandia 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Scandia is about 25 miles northeast of St. Paul, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 68% higher than St. Paul's $280,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 155
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Scandia

The median home value in Scandia is $471,900 — 55% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $978/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $100,179/year is 34% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.9%, 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, Scandia has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$471,900
55% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$266,183
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$978/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
40.2x
Favors renting
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 87.6%
Renter-occupied 12.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$978
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,592/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
38.3 min
42% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.0%
Carpooled
11.4%
Public transit
1.4%
Work from home
20.6%

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
$100,179
34% above avg
Per Capita Income
$58,718
Unemployment Rate
0.9%
80% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor Force Participation
55.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.0%
Graduate degree 12.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.6
Male median age 45.1
Female median age 47.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
80.8%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
240
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Scandia, MN?

Scandia has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Scandia, MN?

The median gross rent in Scandia is $978 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Scandia?

The median home value in Scandia is $471,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Scandia?

The median household income in Scandia is $100,179 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Scandia, MN?

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

Is Scandia, MN affordable?

Scandia is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

Scandia at a Glance

Population
3,966
Median Income
$100,179
Home Value
$471,900
Median Rent
$978/mo
Unemployment
0.9%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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