Research / Most affordable ZIP codes
Most affordable ZIP codes in Minnesota
Ranked by the SkaldMaps Cost of Living Index, lowest first. 100 is about the national level; lower values indicate lower estimated costs.
How we rank lowest cost of living
The Cost of Living Index combines the local cost of everyday goods and services with the estimated cost of owning a typical listed home, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These measures are combined and compared with a national baseline.
100 is about the national level. Below 100, a homebuyer's money goes further; above 100, it goes less far.
It reflects homes for sale today, not what current owners pay, so it needs listing data: ZIPs without enough listings are not ranked. It does not include income, so a low index does not mean local wages cover local costs.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 422 Minnesota ZIPs qualify.
Minnesota ZIP codes ranked by lowest cost of living
1ZIP 55706Babbitt
Minnesota
- Cost of living index
- 69.9
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 38°F
- Avg. commute
- 33 min
2ZIP 55719Chisholm
Minnesota
- Cost of living index
- 70.9
- ZIP population
- ~6k
- Avg. temperature
- 39°F
- Avg. commute
- 18 min
3ZIP 55792Virginia
Minnesota
- Cost of living index
- 72.5
- ZIP population
- ~10k
- Avg. temperature
- 39°F
- Avg. commute
- 18 min
4ZIP 56088Truman
Minnesota
- Cost of living index
- 72.9
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 47°F
- Avg. commute
- 19 min
5ZIP 55705Aurora
Minnesota
- Cost of living index
- 73.9
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 39°F
- Avg. commute
- 30 min
6ZIP 55746Hibbing
Minnesota
- Cost of living index
- 74.8
- ZIP population
- ~17k
- Avg. temperature
- 39°F
- Avg. commute
- 17 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | Cost of living index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 55939 | Harmony | Fillmore County | 74.9 |
| #8 | 56716 | Crookston | Polk County | 75.8 |
| #9 | 55807 | Duluth | St. Louis County | 76.4 |
| #10 | 56181 | Welcome | Martin County | 76.4 |
| #11 | 55741 | Gilbert | St. Louis County | 76.6 |
| #12 | 55975 | Spring Valley | Fillmore County | 76.8 |
| #13 | 56264 | Minneota | Lyon County | 77.1 |
| #14 | 55454 | Minneapolis | Hennepin County | 77.7 |
| #15 | 55734 | Eveleth | St. Louis County | 78.2 |
| #16 | 55954 | Mabel | Fillmore County | 78.3 |
| #17 | 56081 | Saint James | Watonwan County | 78.3 |
| #18 | 56701 | Thief River Falls | Pennington County | 78.5 |
| #19 | 56175 | Tracy | Lyon County | 79.3 |
| #20 | 55385 | Stewart | Mcleod County | 79.5 |
| #21 | 55951 | Le Roy | Mower County | 79.5 |
| #22 | 56143 | Jackson | Jackson County | 79.6 |
| #23 | 56303 | St. Cloud | Stearns County | 79.7 |
| #24 | 55805 | Duluth | St. Louis County | 79.8 |
| #25 | 56277 | Olivia | Renville County | 80.5 |
Rank Minnesota by your own priorities
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More Minnesota research
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- Minnesota median ZIP
- 52.7
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
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Ranked by mean commute
- Minnesota median ZIP
- 23.7 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 17.1 min to 31.1 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- Minnesota median ZIP
- 91.7
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 83.4 to 98.6
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- Minnesota median ZIP
- 89.7%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 84.3% to 95.4%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- Minnesota median ZIP
- 46.0°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 41.1°F to 47.1°F