salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $34,440 a year. That is $17 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 11 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Detroit Lakes?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Detroit Lakes
| Size | Detroit Lakes | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $407 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $685 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,077 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,356 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,552 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes, so the Minnesota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Detroit Lakes
Life in Detroit Lakes
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Detroit Lakes?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $983 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $265,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,580 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Detroit Lakes, MN?
Renting in Detroit Lakes costs a median of about $861 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in Detroit Lakes?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $34,440 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Detroit Lakes cheap or expensive?
Detroit Lakes is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.2% of the typical household income of $67,900. It ranks 11th cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Detroit Lakes?
The median homeowner in Detroit Lakes pays $2,359 a year in property taxes, about 0.89% of the median home value.
Is Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes?
The median home value in Detroit Lakes is $265,800, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
10,025 people live in Detroit Lakes. Numbers are typical (middle) values.