B-
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
19%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Monticello Minnesota National
Cost of living10699100
Goods & Services104100100
Groceries96101100
Health care115102100
Housing119100100
Transportation9396100
Utilities9495100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Monticello, MN

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Monticello? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Monticello stands at 106, making it 6% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

In Monticello, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Monticello will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Monticello Affordable?

Is Monticello 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 Monticello is 19.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 15.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Monticello has a median household income of $105,768, which is 30% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Monticello?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Monticello, is 18.6% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Monticello cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Monticello is 7% higher than the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in Monticello is 6% higher than the national average
  • Monticello housing is 19% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 106% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Monticello

See all the best places to live around Monticello

Compare Monticello, MN Cost of Living

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      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$125,516$10,460$2,929$3,766
      Renters$77,292$6,441$1,803$2,319
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Monticello, MN, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Monticello have a median income of $125,516. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,929 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $77,292, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,803.

      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 Monticello National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.00$27.628.6%
      Beauty Salon $47.50$51.117.1%
      Toothpaste $4.07$4.090.6%
      Shampoo $1.55$1.540.5%
      Movie $13.55$12.885.2%
      Yoga $26.00$19.6632.2%

      Groceries

      Item Monticello National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.45$7.703.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.49$1.6610.4%
      Milk $4.70$4.730.7%
      Potatoes $5.05$5.263.9%
      Pizza $14.39$12.7612.8%
      Beer $9.29$10.5511.9%

      Health Care

      Item Monticello National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $185.08$140.0632.1%
      Doctor $270.03$153.8275.6%
      Dentist $120.06$123.152.5%
      Ibuprofen $11.37$11.733.1%
      Lipitor $17.56$23.6125.6%

      Housing

      Item Monticello National avg. Difference
      Home Price $391,555.00$326,622.0019.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,040.19$2,480.2517.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,670.00$1,444.0015.7%

      Transportation

      Item Monticello National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.83$3.067.4%
      Tire Balancing $61.34$65.215.9%

      Utilities

      Item Monticello National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.71$220.128.8%
      Phone $192.45$195.711.7%
      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.
      Maple Lake, MN2,208973.3%
      Clearwater, MN1,690990.9%
      Silver Creek, MN2011000.1%
      Clear Lake, MN6921000.0%
      Big Lake CDP, MN3901010.8%
      Monticello, MN14,0581065.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Grimes, IA14,059982.2%
      Beauharnois, QC14,056n/a 
      Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI14,06215353.0%
      Holly Springs, GA14,05311615.5%
      Marietta, OH14,0538614.2%
      Monticello, MN14,0581065.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.