Cost of Living in Two Harbors, MN

Population 3,598 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Two Harbors a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $187,000. An unemployment rate of 1.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Two Harbors lies roughly 160 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, St. Paul — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than St. Paul's $280,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 61
Rent 67

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

About the Cost of Living in Two Harbors

The median home value in Two Harbors is $187,100 — 39% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $879/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,885/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, 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, Two Harbors has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$187,100
39% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$204,905
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$879/mo
33% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7x
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 71.6%
Renter-occupied 28.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$879
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,493/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
26.6 min
1% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.5%
Carpooled
8.7%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
8.3%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
4.1%

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
$62,885
16% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,912
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
79% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Labor Force Participation
59.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.1%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 41.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 36 — Good
77.3%
Good air days/yr
114
Max AQI recorded
256
PM2.5 days
109
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
1,389
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Two Harbors, MN?

Two Harbors has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in Two Harbors, MN?

The median gross rent in Two Harbors is $879 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Two Harbors?

The median home value in Two Harbors is $187,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Two Harbors?

The median household income in Two Harbors is $62,885 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Two Harbors, MN?

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

Is Two Harbors, MN affordable?

Yes, Two Harbors is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

Two Harbors at a Glance

Population
3,598
Median Income
$62,885
Home Value
$187,100
Median Rent
$879/mo
Unemployment
1.0%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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