| Index | North Branch | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 108 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 99 | 100 |
The cost of living in North Branch affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in North Branch is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in North Branch aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. North Branch residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Is North Branch 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 North Branch is 13.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 6.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. North Branch has a median household income of $129,357, which is 59% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In North Branch, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.875%, and income tax rates begin at 5.35%.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In North Branch, the groceries index is 1.4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In North Branch, the transportation index is 2.8% lower than the national average.
The North Branch cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical 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 | $136,462 | $11,372 | $3,184 | $4,094 |
| Renters | $63,443 | $5,287 | $1,480 | $1,903 |
| 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. |
| Stanchfield, MN | 74 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Braham, MN | 1,774 | 94 | 6.4% |
| Stacy, MN | 2,036 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Rush City, MN | 3,262 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Osceola, WI | 2,620 | 96 | 4.1% |
| North Branch, MN | 10,855 | 103 | 2.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Shelton, WA | 10,858 | 108 | 7.8% |
| Petal, MS | 10,849 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Martin, TN | 10,847 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Atchison, KS | 10,863 | 84 | 15.6% |
| South Yarmouth, MA | 10,841 | 133 | 32.5% |
| North Branch, MN | 10,855 | 103 | 2.6% |
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