A
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Moorhead Minnesota National
Cost of living9899100
Goods & Services92100100
Groceries9498100
Health care104109100
Housing104100100
Transportation9597100
Utilities10993100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Moorhead, MN

Knowing the cost of living in Moorhead allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Moorhead stands at 98, marking it 2% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Moorhead aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Moorhead residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Moorhead?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 12 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Moorhead. The results indicated that 58% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 42% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Moorhead Affordable?

Is Moorhead affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Moorhead, the median home price is 8.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Moorhead boasting a median household income of $61,220, 10.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Moorhead?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Moorhead, the transportation index is 5.4% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Moorhead displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Moorhead is 1% lower than the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in Moorhead is 2% lower than the national average
  • Moorhead housing is 4% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 106% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Moorhead

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Compare Moorhead, MN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$86,956$7,246$2,029$2,609
      Renters$30,829$2,569$719$925
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Moorhead is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Moorhead has a median income of about $86,956 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,029 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $30,829. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $719 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Minnesota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Minnesota 6.875% 7.875%

      Minnesota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Minnesota 5.35% 9.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item Moorhead National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.50$24.267.3%
      Beauty Salon $38.00$45.5616.6%
      Toothpaste $3.88$3.704.7%
      Shampoo $1.04$1.2818.5%
      Movie $8.02$12.1333.9%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Moorhead National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.52$5.845.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.38$1.5712.5%
      Milk $4.48$4.674.2%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.2%
      Pizza $10.49$12.0913.2%
      Beer $10.11$10.412.9%

      Health Care

      Item Moorhead National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $140.67$125.6811.9%
      Doctor $169.50$135.7824.8%
      Dentist $96.00$113.2915.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.06$10.655.5%
      Lipitor $517.00$468.6010.3%

      Housing

      Item Moorhead National avg. Difference
      Home Price $200,300.00$184,700.008.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,952.91$2,346.6916.8%
      Apartment Rent $880.00$949.007.3%

      Transportation

      Item Moorhead National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.6%
      Tire Balancing $57.00$59.924.9%

      Utilities

      Item Moorhead National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $222.79$193.9914.8%
      Phone $191.52$192.250.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Comstock, MN728317.1%
      Baker, MN418910.6%
      Felton, MN123918.5%
      Glyndon, MN1,362945.5%
      Kindred, ND905964.2%
      Moorhead, MN43,409981.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Channelview, TX43,378946.0%
      Prescott, AZ43,46312322.8%
      Salem, MA43,35013939.2%
      Concord, NH43,50311919.2%
      Peachtree Corners, GA43,51612120.8%
      Moorhead, MN43,409981.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.