Cost of Living in St. Charles, MN

Population 4,021 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

74
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

St. Charles 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 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 20 miles east of Rochester, St. Charles falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Rochester's $288,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 76
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Charles

The median home value in St. Charles is $231,300 — 24% 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 $96,544/year is 29% higher 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%. Overall, St. Charles has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$231,300
24% below avg
Median Rent
$941/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5x
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 83.0%
Renter-occupied 17.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$941
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,555/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
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.4%
Carpooled
5.3%
Walked
2.5%
Work from home
13.8%

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
$96,544
29% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,155
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
56% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor Force Participation
73.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.7%
Graduate degree 9.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.1
Male median age 36.8
Female median age 40.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 28 — Good
79.8%
Good air days/yr
169
Max AQI recorded
119
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Charles, MN?

St. Charles has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Charles, MN?

The median gross rent in St. Charles is $941 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Charles?

The median home value in St. Charles is $231,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Charles?

The median household income in St. Charles is $96,544 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Charles, MN?

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

Is St. Charles, MN affordable?

Yes, St. Charles is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

St. Charles at a Glance

Population
4,021
Median Income
$96,544
Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$941/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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