Cost of Living in Waconia, MN

Population 13,223 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

120
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Waconia is a smaller Minnesota community of around 13000 residents, where median household incomes of $104,929 and housing costs ($408,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Waconia is about 25 miles west of Minneapolis, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 18% higher than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 134
Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Waconia

The median home value in Waconia is $407,600 — 34% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,299/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,929/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, 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, Waconia has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$407,600
34% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$452,198
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,299/mo
1% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,632/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.1x
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 80.9%
Renter-occupied 19.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,299
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,913/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
27.0 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.8%
Carpooled
3.1%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
1.2%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
20.9%

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
$104,929
41% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,332
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
15% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Labor Force Participation
75.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.5%
Graduate degree 15.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 36.9
Female median age 38.2

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
4,143
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waconia, MN?

Waconia has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.

What is average rent in Waconia, MN?

The median gross rent in Waconia is $1,299 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waconia?

The median home value in Waconia is $407,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Waconia?

The median household income in Waconia is $104,929 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waconia, MN?

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

Is Waconia, MN affordable?

Waconia is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.

Waconia at a Glance

Population
13,223
Median Income
$104,929
Home Value
$407,600
Median Rent
$1,299/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Sales Tax
7.4%
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🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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