Cost of Living in St. James, MN
Population 4,740 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives St. James a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $110,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
St. James lies roughly 95 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Minneapolis — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 68% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in St. James
The median home value in St. James is $109,600 — 64% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $805/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,031/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.6%, 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, St. James has a cost of living index of 46 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 54% less expensive.
St. James 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in St. James, MN?
St. James has a cost index of 46 (100 = national average). It is 54% below the national average.
What is average rent in St. James, MN?
The median gross rent in St. James is $805 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in St. James?
The median home value in St. James is $109,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in St. James?
The median household income in St. James is $57,031 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in St. James, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. James is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is St. James, MN affordable?
Yes, St. James is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 46 — about 54% below the US national average of 100.
St. James at a Glance
- Population
- 4,740
- Median Income
- $57,031
- Home Value
- $109,600
- Median Rent
- $805/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.6%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
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