| Index | Moorhead | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 103 | 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 Moorhead 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 Moorhead stands at 101, marking it 1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Moorhead closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Moorhead can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 12 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Moorhead. The feedback revealed that 58% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 42% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Moorhead 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 Moorhead, the median home price is 8.6% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 8.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Moorhead come in at $92,904, which is 14.2% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Moorhead, the utilities index stands at 3.3% higher 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 Moorhead, the transportation index is 0.6% higher 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 Moorhead, healthcare costs are 2.3% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Moorhead shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| 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 | $127,055 | $10,588 | $2,964 | $3,812 |
| Renters | $45,942 | $3,829 | $1,072 | $1,378 |
| 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. |
| Comstock, MN | 75 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Baker, MN | 42 | 94 | 6.3% |
| Felton, MN | 128 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Glyndon, MN | 1,414 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Kindred, ND | 929 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Moorhead, MN | 44,762 | 101 | 1.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Altoona, PA | 44,840 | 87 | 13.2% |
| Freeport, NY | 44,654 | 134 | 34.0% |
| Salem, MA | 44,881 | 135 | 35.3% |
| Prescott, AZ | 44,634 | 122 | 21.7% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 44,960 | 101 | 0.7% |
| Moorhead, MN | 44,762 | 101 | 1.5% |
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