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St. Cloud, MN

Cost of living in Stearns County, MN

Part of the St. Cloud Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,950/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 159,358 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $883 30%
Federal tax $497 17%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $340 12%
Transport $320 11%
State tax $193 7%
Energy $187 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Stearns County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$856
per month
1 bedroom
$883
per month
2 bedroom
$1,151
per month
3 bedroom
$1,510
per month
4 bedroom
$1,798
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Stearns County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$76,447
per year
Individual earnings
$40,467
per year
Per capita
$37,806
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Stearns County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$256,500
Annual property tax
$2,617

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Stearns County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$124
per month · 15.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Stearns County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Stearns County

State and local tax rates for Minnesota.

State income tax
9.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.9%
Combined sales tax
7.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Stearns County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.1 min
Drive alone
75.7%
Public transit
1.5%
Work from home
9.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Stearns County

What it costs to live in Stearns County each month.

Single person
$2,950
per month
  • Rent $883
  • Energy $187
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $340
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $497
  • State tax $193
Couple
$4,600
per month
  • Rent $1,151
  • Energy $224
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $563
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $921
  • State tax $397
Family
$7,103
per month
  • Rent $1,510
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $855
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $921
  • State tax $397

Frequently asked questions about Stearns County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Stearns County?

In Stearns County, MN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $883 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,151 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,510 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Stearns County?

In Stearns County, MN, the average household income is $76,447 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,467 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Stearns County?

The estimated cost of living in Stearns County, MN is approximately $2,950 per month for a single person, $4,600 for a couple, $7,103 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Stearns County?

The combined sales tax rate in Stearns County, MN is 7.54%, which includes the Minnesota state rate of 6.88% plus an average local rate of 0.66%.

Is Stearns County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Stearns County, MN would need approximately $2,950 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $76,447 per year ($6,371 per month). Stearns County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Stearns County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Stearns County, MN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Stearns County?

The average home value in Stearns County, MN is $256,500, with average annual property taxes of $2,617, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Stearns County compare to other areas?

You can compare Stearns County, MN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Stearns County is in the St. Cloud, MN metro area.

Other counties in Minnesota

Browse the full list of counties in Minnesota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Minnesota

Compare Stearns County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources