| Index | St. Cloud | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 86 | 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 |
Knowing the cost of living in St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud stands at 96, marking it 4% lower than the national average.
In St. Cloud, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, 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 St. Cloud will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 11 residents in St. Cloud to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 36% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 64% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if St. Cloud is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In St. Cloud, for example, the median home price is 13.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 15% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with St. Cloud boasting a median household income of $75,349, which is 7.4% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In St. Cloud, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.875%, and income tax rates start at 5.35%.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In St. Cloud, the groceries index is 0.4% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In St. Cloud, the transportation index is 0.5% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for St. Cloud 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.
| 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 | $108,948 | $9,079 | $2,542 | $3,269 |
| Renters | $48,979 | $4,082 | $1,143 | $1,470 |
| 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. |
| Holdingford, MN | 690 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Foley, MN | 2,727 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Gilman, MN | 249 | 95 | 4.8% |
| Waite Park, MN | 7,879 | 97 | 2.8% |
| St. Stephen, MN | 882 | 97 | 2.6% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 69,805 | 96 | 3.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 69,801 | 141 | 40.6% |
| Waterloo, IA | 70,052 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Granby, QC | 69,530 | n/a | |
| Grande Prairie, AB | 69,512 | n/a | |
| Jackson, TN | 69,498 | 93 | 7.3% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 69,805 | 96 | 3.7% |
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