salaryRent is lower than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,760 a year. That is $21 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 26 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in St. Cloud?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Cloud
| Size | St. Cloud | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $847 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $982 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,172 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,584 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,686 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Cloud overall?
Everyday prices in the St. Cloud metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in St. Cloud
Life in St. Cloud
What jobs pay in St. Cloud
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $147,530 | 8.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,650 | 9.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,520 | 10.0% |
| Lawyer | $118,860 | 11.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $105,290 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $103,000 | 12.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,480 | 13.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,120 | 13.7% |
| Plumber | $90,230 | 14.5% |
| Operations Manager | $89,700 | 14.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,090 | 15.1% |
| Electrician | $81,890 | 16.0% |
| Accountant | $77,720 | 16.9% |
| Police Officer | $76,880 | 17.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $74,420 | 17.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $73,160 | 17.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,000 | 18.0% |
| Truck Driver | $61,960 | 21.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,900 | 21.2% |
| Carpenter | $60,600 | 21.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,120 | 27.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,750 | 27.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,480 | 28.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,130 | 32.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,270 | 36.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,860 | 37.7% |
| Firefighter | $33,820 | 38.8% |
| Cashier | $32,480 | 40.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,520 | 55.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Cloud?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $467 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $225,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,500 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Cloud, MN?
Renting in St. Cloud costs a median of about $1,094 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Cloud?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,760 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Cloud cheap or expensive?
St. Cloud is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.8% of the typical household income of $66,192. It ranks 26th cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Cloud?
The median homeowner in St. Cloud pays $2,320 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is St. Cloud more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Cloud?
The median home value in St. Cloud is $225,000, about 3.4 times the typical yearly household income.
70,629 people live in St. Cloud. Numbers are typical (middle) values.