Bemidji 73 Excellent
Bemidji Livability #252 ranked city in Minnesota#5,416 ranked city in the USARanks better than 81% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Bemidji

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Bemidji?

Bemidji is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 15,682 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Bemidji is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Bemidji could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 28 years old is below the nation’s average. Bemidji is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 34% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Bemidji. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Bemidji could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Minnesota if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Bemidji and in the areas around Bemidji is a much easier task.

The livability score in Bemidji is 74 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 85th percentile of all cities across America. Based on the scores for each individual category, Bemidji has received high marks for amenities (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A-). Bemidji does not score well for the following: crime (F) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Bemidji, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Bemidji undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Bemidji excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Bemidji is real estate affordability. The median home price for Bemidji homes is $252,522, which is 25.5% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bemidji, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 24.3% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bemidji

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Bemidji?

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Compare Bemidji, MN Livability

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      Bemidji transportation information

      Statistic Bemidji Minnesota National
      Average one way commute16min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.3%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.7%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk8.1%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home7.7%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Bemidji, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.