Cost of Living in St. Peter, MN

Population 12,085 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

76
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

St. Peter is a smaller Minnesota community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $65,042 and housing costs ($239,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

St. Peter is about 55 miles southwest 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 31% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Peter

The median home value in St. Peter is $238,700 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $943/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,042/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, 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. Peter has a cost of living index of 76 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$238,700
22% below avg
Median Rent
$943/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1x
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 60.0%
Renter-occupied 40.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$943
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,557/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
16.8 min
38% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
21.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
56.6%
Carpooled
8.3%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
12.1%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
21.5%

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
$65,042
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,660
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Labor Force Participation
65.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.7%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 33.8

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

75%
4-Year Graduation Rate
6.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
85
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Peter has a cost index of 76 (100 = national average). It is 24% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Peter, MN?

The median gross rent in St. Peter is $943 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Peter?

The median home value in St. Peter is $238,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Peter?

The median household income in St. Peter is $65,042 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

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

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

Is St. Peter, MN affordable?

Yes, St. Peter is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 76 — about 24% below the US national average of 100.

St. Peter at a Glance

Population
12,085
Median Income
$65,042
Home Value
$238,700
Median Rent
$943/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Sales Tax
7.4%
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🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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