Cost of Living in St. Joseph, MN

Population 7,024 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

St. Joseph is a smaller Minnesota community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $75,217 and housing costs ($240,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, St. Joseph is about 65 miles northwest of Minneapolis, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 87

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Joseph

The median home value in St. Joseph is $240,300 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,139/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $75,217/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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, St. Joseph has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$240,300
21% below avg
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
13% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
Favors buying
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 64.4%
Renter-occupied 35.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,139
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,753/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
20.7 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.3%
Carpooled
9.9%
Public transit
2.5%
Walked
11.6%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
3.5%

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
$75,217
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$29,808
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
41% below avg
Poverty Rate
21.6%
Labor Force Participation
72.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.2%
Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 23.9
Male median age 25.8
Female median age 23.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
54.5%
Good air days/yr
184
Max AQI recorded
253
PM2.5 days
112
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Joseph has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Joseph, MN?

The median gross rent in St. Joseph is $1,139 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Joseph?

The median home value in St. Joseph is $240,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Joseph?

The median household income in St. Joseph is $75,217 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

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

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

Is St. Joseph, MN affordable?

Yes, St. Joseph is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

St. Joseph at a Glance

Population
7,024
Median Income
$75,217
Home Value
$240,300
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
Unemployment
2.9%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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