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
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
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.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
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.
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.
Brainerd is a medium-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 13,746 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Brainerd is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and American Indian and Alaskan. In Brainerd, only 46% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Brainerd is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Brainerd, Minnesota. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Brainerd and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Brainerd to Minnesota and the national average.
With a livability score of 70 out of 100, Brainerd is ranked #7,133 in the United States and #297 in Minnesota. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Brainerd ranks well for cost of living (A-), education (B) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Brainerd does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Brainerd 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.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Brainerd is actually affordable. The median home price for Brainerd homes is $227,993, which is 32.8% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Brainerd, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 10.8% higher than the Minnesota average.
| Statistic | Brainerd | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.1% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.5% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.8% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
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