| Index | Sartell | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 114 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 99 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Sartell? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Sartell stands at 105, making it 5% 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.
The cost of living in Sartell is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Is Sartell 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 Sartell is 19.1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Sartell has a median household income of $104,706, which is 28.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Sartell, the housing index is 14.1% 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.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Sartell, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.875%, and the income tax rates commence at 5.35%.
The Sartell 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 | $156,599 | $13,050 | $3,654 | $4,698 |
| Renters | $63,081 | $5,257 | $1,472 | $1,893 |
| 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. |
| Elmdale, MN | 163 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Bowlus, MN | 299 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Holdingford, MN | 690 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Royalton, MN | 1,213 | 94 | 6.4% |
| Richmond, MN | 1,421 | 94 | 5.5% |
| Sartell, MN | 19,015 | 105 | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Port Alberni, BC | 19,018 | n/a | |
| Mayfield Heights, OH | 19,024 | 94 | 6.2% |
| Gautier, MS | 19,005 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Castaic, CA | 19,003 | 168 | 67.5% |
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 19,003 | 156 | 56.1% |
| Sartell, MN | 19,015 | 105 | 4.7% |