salaryRent is lower than in 63% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 13.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $56,440 a year. That is $27 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 56 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mankato?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mankato
| Size | Mankato | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $909 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $995 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,348 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,736 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,329 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mankato overall?
Everyday prices in the Mankato metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Mankato
Life in Mankato
What jobs pay in Mankato
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $157,010 | 10.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $142,020 | 11.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,580 | 12.2% |
| Lawyer | $130,020 | 13.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $128,220 | 13.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $103,400 | 16.4% |
| Software Developer | $100,630 | 16.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | 16.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,250 | 17.6% |
| Operations Manager | $86,890 | 19.5% |
| Police Officer | $83,670 | 20.2% |
| Electrician | $83,120 | 20.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $76,670 | 22.1% |
| Accountant | $76,660 | 22.1% |
| Plumber | $74,450 | 22.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,020 | 23.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,400 | 26.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,070 | 26.8% |
| Carpenter | $61,150 | 27.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,070 | 28.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $48,530 | 34.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,320 | 35.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,430 | 36.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,500 | 38.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,190 | 45.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,350 | 47.9% |
| Firefighter | $34,190 | 49.5% |
| Cashier | $33,530 | 50.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,330 | 72.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mankato?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $405 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $261,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mankato, MN?
Renting in Mankato costs a median of about $1,411 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in Mankato?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $56,440 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mankato cheap or expensive?
Mankato is rated OK: rent takes 23.5% of the typical household income of $72,123. It ranks 56th cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mankato?
The median homeowner in Mankato pays $2,551 a year in property taxes, about 0.97% of the median home value.
Is Mankato more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Mankato?
The median home value in Mankato is $261,700, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
45,473 people live in Mankato. Numbers are typical (middle) values.