Cost of Living in St. Cloud
St. Cloud's cost of living centers on genuinely affordable housing and rent, offset by Minnesota's real, high top-bracket state income tax and Stearns County's somewhat elevated property tax.
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Learn moreGenuinely affordable housing and rent
Zillow's average home value ran $247,028 (up ~2.9% YoY), and the average apartment rent ran $1,162/month -- both genuinely below the Twin Cities suburban Tier A markets covered elsewhere in this project.
Minnesota's real 4-bracket income tax
Minnesota's real, genuine 4-bracket state income tax runs 5.35% to 9.85% (on income over approximately $193,240 for single filers, 2026), applying statewide including in St. Cloud, with no additional local income tax layer.
Stearns County's somewhat elevated property tax
Stearns County's median property tax bill ran approximately $3,022 -- about $622 above Minnesota's statewide median of approximately $2,400.
Key takeaways
- St. Cloud's housing ($247,028 average) and rent ($1,162 average) run genuinely below the Twin Cities Tier A suburbs.
- Minnesota's 4-bracket state income tax (5.35%-9.85%) applies with no local St. Cloud income tax add-on.
- Stearns County's property tax bill runs somewhat above Minnesota's statewide median.
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