| Index | Willmar | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 76 | 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 |
Understanding the cost of living in Willmar can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Willmar cost of living index is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
In Willmar, 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 Willmar will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Willmar 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 Willmar, the median home price is 23.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 23.2% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Willmar come in at $75,861, which is 6.7% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Willmar starts at 6.875% and the income tax rates start 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 Willmar, the groceries index is 0.4% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Willmar, the transportation index is 0.5% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Willmar are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across 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 | $107,617 | $8,968 | $2,511 | $3,229 |
| Renters | $45,462 | $3,789 | $1,061 | $1,364 |
| 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. |
| Blomkest, MN | 206 | 88 | 12.5% |
| Kerkhoven, MN | 734 | 88 | 11.8% |
| Lake Lillian, MN | 267 | 88 | 11.5% |
| Atwater, MN | 1,176 | 89 | 11.2% |
| Pennock, MN | 495 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Willmar, MN | 20,156 | 93 | 6.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oroville, CA | 20,168 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Central Falls, RI | 20,175 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Horizon City, TX | 20,136 | 92 | 7.8% |
| Montgomery, IL | 20,189 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Kirkland, QC | 20,189 | n/a | |
| Willmar, MN | 20,156 | 93 | 6.7% |
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