salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 33.2 minutes each way. Most homes (86.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,280 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Minnesota cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Minnesota. It is number 70 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Big Lake?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Big Lake
| Size | Big Lake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,178 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,626 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $959 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,990 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Big Lake overall?
Everyday prices in Minnesota overall are 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Big Lake, so the Minnesota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Big Lake
Life in Big Lake
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Big Lake?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $809 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $330,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $33,020 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Big Lake, MN?
Renting in Big Lake costs a median of about $1,482 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in Big Lake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,280 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Big Lake cheap or expensive?
Big Lake is rated Cheap: rent takes 13.7% of the typical household income of $130,012. It ranks 70th cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Big Lake?
The median homeowner in Big Lake pays $3,549 a year in property taxes, about 1.07% of the median home value.
Is Big Lake more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Minnesota are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Big Lake?
The median home value in Big Lake is $330,200, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
12,367 people live in Big Lake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.