| Index | Bemidji | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 95 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 99 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Bemidji 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 Bemidji stands at 95, marking it 5% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Bemidji is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 5 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Bemidji. The results indicated that 80% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 20% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Bemidji an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Bemidji, the median home price is 22.7% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 11.8% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Bemidji come in at $54,650, which is 32.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Bemidji, the transportation index is 0.6% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Bemidji, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.875%, and income tax rates start at 5.35%.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
The Bemidji cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $86,044 | $7,170 | $2,008 | $2,582 |
| Renters | $36,134 | $3,011 | $843 | $1,084 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 7.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Minnesota | 5.35% | 9.85% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cass Lake, MN | 922 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Solway, MN | 64 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Wilton, MN | 164 | 96 | 3.9% |
| Turtle River, MN | 87 | 97 | 3.4% |
| Tenstrike, MN | 196 | 97 | 3.1% |
| Bemidji, MN | 15,682 | 95 | 5.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Clarksdale, MS | 15,683 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Mineral Wells, TX | 15,683 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Beech Grove, IN | 15,679 | 88 | 11.7% |
| Great Bend, KS | 15,685 | 85 | 14.8% |
| West Hants, NS | 15,678 | n/a | |
| Bemidji, MN | 15,682 | 95 | 5.4% |
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