Cost of Living in Brainerd, MN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $793 (excluding rent), and $2,337 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,032 (excluding rent), and $3,855 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.03 $14.03

$12.03 $12.03

$45.10 $45.10

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.1 $65.1

$59.1 $59.1

$98.6 $98.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$12.04 $12.04

Cappuccino

$1.92 $1.92

$7.11 $7.11

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$2.03 $2.03

$4.07 $4.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.86 $1.86

$2.96 $2.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.96 $5.96

$3.77 $3.77

$7.94 $7.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.93 $5.93

$11.86 $11.86

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.82 $0.82

$1.37 $1.37

White Bread (500g)

$3.23 $3.23

$1.90 $1.90

$6.51 $6.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$2.56 $2.56

$6.45 $6.45

Eggs

$2.51 $2.51

$1.70 $1.70

$4.03 $4.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.30 $9.30

$6.56 $6.56

$17.51 $17.51

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.36 $8.36

$5.58 $5.58

$22.33 $22.33

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.41 $12.41

$10.94 $10.94

$21.97 $21.97

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$2.73 $2.73

$8.71 $8.71

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 $1.16

$1.06 $1.06

$4.28 $4.28

Oranges (1kg)

$5.94 $5.94

$3.40 $3.40

$13.59 $13.59

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$3.28 $3.28

$8.08 $8.08

Potato (1kg)

$3.84 $3.84

$2.19 $2.19

$8.77 $8.77

Onion (1kg)

$3.60 $3.60

$2.03 $2.03

$6.43 $6.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.51 $1.51

$3.03 $3.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.90 $1.90

$1.08 $1.08

$2.85 $2.85

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.65 $10.65

$10.14 $10.14

$12.15 $12.15

Wine (Bottle)

$10.97 $10.97

$7.96 $7.96

$17.94 $17.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$4.92 $4.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.38 $4.38

$1.95 $1.95

$4.87 $4.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.29 $1.29

$2.06 $2.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.02 $40.02

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 $3.07

$8.18 $8.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.22 $1.22

$1.52 $1.52

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.22 $29.22

$26.43 $26.43

$35.04 $35.04

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.73 $0.73

$0.92 $0.92

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.2K $35.2K

$24.3K $24.3K

$37.5K $37.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.8K $25.8K

$25.3K $25.3K

$27.3K $27.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$218 $218

$123 $123

$299 $299

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$45.88 $45.88

$33.64 $33.64

$91.8 $91.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.5 $60.5

$45.38 $45.38

$101 $101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.76 $42.76

$17.40 $17.40

$49.72 $49.72

Cinema Ticket

$9.16 $9.16

$15.27 $15.27

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,217 $1,217

$974 $974

$2,029 $2,029

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.3K $30.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.32 $39.32

$23.19 $23.19

$101 $101

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.48 $41.48

$29.63 $29.63

$64.2 $64.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$59.3 $59.3

$119 $119

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$64.6 $64.6

$59.7 $59.7

$199 $199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,625 $1,625

$1,217 $1,217

$1,884 $1,884

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,202 $1,202

$1,002 $1,002

$1,502 $1,502

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,657 $2,657

$2,021 $2,021

$3,031 $3,031

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,529 $1,529

$2,549 $2,549

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,437 $2,437

$2,348 $2,348

$2,525 $2,525

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,354 $2,354

$2,269 $2,269

$2,440 $2,440

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Brainerd, MN Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

247

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Brainerd, MN - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Brainerd, MN, United States tends to be friendlier than big coastal hubs, especially if you value outdoor access and a slower daily rhythm. For travelers and nomads, you’ll find modest housing options, flexible leases, and practical amenities within easy reach of lakes, groceries, and cafes. Pace is seasonal, with peak tourist moments that gently lift prices but never spike like larger metros. Neighborhoods near downtown or the water offer easy errands and coworking nooks, while lake-adjacent spots reward early starts and quiet evenings. Tip: map quick chores to nearby services to keep daily spend in check.

Housing options cluster into downtown apartments, lakeside cottages, or quieter residential pockets within a quick drive of shops. The Brainerd, MN, United States living cost is generally more predictable than big cities, making it easier to budget as you settle in. Seasonality shapes availability – winter leases can be more flexible, while summer demand around the water can tighten vacancies. For daily needs, groceries, casual dining, and coffee spots support long work sessions, and you’ll find a few dedicated co-working spaces plus library rooms. Transport leans car-first, with bike lanes along the shorelines. Tip: Map errands by area to minimize backtracking.

Think of Brainerd as a blend of lake life and small-town practicality. Build a simple budgeting framework that allocates time for work, groceries, and outdoor breaks; keep a small buffer for seasonal costs like equipment rentals or festival weekends. To choose a neighborhood, consider your pace: waterfront districts for easy recreation, or the downtown core for amenities and transit access. You’ll gain quality of life through outdoor merchants, seasonal markets, and community events. Seasonal shifts may affect crowds and quiet hours, so select a spot that aligns with your preferred rhythm. Tip: visit at different times of day and week to test compatibility.