B
0%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
9%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index North Branch Minnesota National
Cost of living10099100
Goods & Services96100100
Groceries9998100
Health care101109100
Housing109100100
Transportation9897100
Utilities9493100

An Overview of Cost of Living in North Branch, MN

Knowing the cost of living in North Branch allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in North Branch stands at 100, marking it 0% equal to the national average.

The cost of living in North Branch closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of North Branch can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is North Branch Affordable?

Is North Branch an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in North Branch is 15% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 5.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. North Branch has a median household income of $85,213, which is 54% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in North Branch?

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in North Branch starts at 6.875% and the income tax rates start at 5.35%.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In North Branch, the groceries index is 1.2% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In North Branch, healthcare costs are 0.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The North Branch cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in North Branch is 1% higher than the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in North Branch is equal to the national average
  • North Branch housing is 9% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 137% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around North Branch

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Compare North Branch, MN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$91,337$7,611$2,131$2,740
      Renters$42,188$3,516$984$1,266
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in North Branch is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. North Branch has a median income of about $91,337 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,131 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $42,188. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $984 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Minnesota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Minnesota 6.875% 7.875%

      Minnesota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Minnesota 5.35% 9.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item North Branch National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.67$24.2618.2%
      Beauty Salon $34.55$45.5624.2%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.5%
      Movie $13.47$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $21.50$18.0019.4%

      Groceries

      Item North Branch National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.49$5.845.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.2%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.930.8%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.3%
      Beer $9.36$10.4110.1%

      Health Care

      Item North Branch National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $145.44$125.6815.7%
      Doctor $229.08$135.7868.7%
      Dentist $108.67$113.294.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $599.08$468.6027.8%

      Housing

      Item North Branch National avg. Difference
      Home Price $212,400.00$184,700.0015.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,941.44$2,346.6917.3%
      Apartment Rent $898.00$949.005.4%

      Transportation

      Item North Branch National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.38$3.462.5%
      Tire Balancing $61.74$59.923.0%

      Utilities

      Item North Branch National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $175.38$193.999.6%
      Phone $187.39$192.252.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stanchfield, MN731044.0%
      Braham, MN1,721963.8%
      Stacy, MN1,960937.3%
      Rush City, MN3,175936.8%
      Osceola, WI2,521946.4%
      North Branch, MN10,5851000.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Martin, TN10,5858514.6%
      Jackson, WY10,58517070.1%
      Blackhawk, CA10,590271171.5%
      Morro Bay, CA10,59217069.5%
      Monroe, WI10,573973.3%
      North Branch, MN10,5851000.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.