Cost of Living in St. Cloud, MN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $928 (excluding rent), and $2,510 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,198 (excluding rent), and $4,657 including rent.
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๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.07 $18.07
$12.05 $12.05
$45.17 $45.17
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.5 $66.5
$60.5 $60.5
$101 $101
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.02 $10.02
$10.02 $10.02
$12.02 $12.02
Cappuccino
$5.24 $5.24
$3.05 $3.05
$7.12 $7.12
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.02 $2.02
$4.05 $4.05
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$2.01 $2.01
$3.02 $3.02
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.08 $6.08
$3.85 $3.85
$8.11 $8.11
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.81 $6.81
$5.84 $5.84
$11.68 $11.68
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$0.81 $0.81
$1.35 $1.35
White Bread (500g)
$2.68 $2.68
$1.88 $1.88
$6.42 $6.42
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.33 $3.33
$2.64 $2.64
$5.08 $5.08
Eggs
$2.23 $2.23
$1.68 $1.68
$3.97 $3.97
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.83 $4.83
$4.83 $4.83
$17.42 $17.42
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.28 $9.28
$5.46 $5.46
$21.83 $21.83
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.21 $14.21
$12.03 $12.03
$21.86 $21.86
Apples (1kg)
$3.9 $3.9
$2.79 $2.79
$8.92 $8.92
Banana (1kg)
$1.2 $1.2
$1.1 $1.1
$4.01 $4.01
Oranges (1kg)
$3.23 $3.23
$3.23 $3.23
$12.91 $12.91
Tomato (1kg)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.17 $2.17
$8.06 $8.06
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 $0.75
$0.75 $0.75
$8.6 $8.6
Onion (1kg)
$1.68 $1.68
$1.68 $1.68
$6.72 $6.72
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.54 $1.54
$3.08 $3.08
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 $1.88
$1.12 $1.12
$2.54 $2.54
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.81 $9.81
$9.81 $9.81
$10.79 $10.79
Wine (Bottle)
$12.09 $12.09
$6.04 $6.04
$15.11 $15.11
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.75 $1.75
$4.34 $4.34
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.57 $4.57
$2.03 $2.03
$5.59 $5.59
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.32 $1.32
$2.12 $2.12
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.99 $4.99
$3.24 $3.24
$7.98 $7.98
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 $1.37
$1.22 $1.22
$1.52 $1.52
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.92 $25.92
$23.45 $23.45
$31.08 $31.08
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$0.74 $0.74
$0.94 $0.94
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.1K $36.1K
$25K $25K
$36.7K $36.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K $25.3K
$24.7K $24.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$221 $221
$124 $124
$304 $304
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.71 $48.71
$33.09 $33.09
$100 $100
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.43 $49.43
$44.48 $44.48
$98.9 $98.9
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.92 $42.92
$17.47 $17.47
$49.91 $49.91
Cinema Ticket
$14.17 $14.17
$12.15 $12.15
$25.3 $25.3
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,449 $1,449
$957 $957
$1,995 $1,995
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29.5K $29.5K
$29.5K $29.5K
$29.5K $29.5K
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.08 $39.08
$23.05 $23.05
$100 $100
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.19 $42.19
$30.13 $30.13
$65.3 $65.3
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.1 $84.1
$59.6 $59.6
$119 $119
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127 $127
$59.9 $59.9
$200 $200
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,613 $1,613
$1,208 $1,208
$1,869 $1,869
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,374 $1,374
$1,015 $1,015
$1,523 $1,523
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,605 $2,605
$1,981 $1,981
$2,972 $2,972
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,233 $2,233
$1,708 $1,708
$2,512 $2,512
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,941 $2,941
$2,100 $2,100
$2,941 $2,941
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,149 $2,149
$1,661 $1,661
$2,149 $2,149
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$8,508 $8,508
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6
6.8
Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in St. Cloud, MN - Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Cloud a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does affordability compare to bigger cities?
St. Cloud sits well for value seekers who want access to lakes, parks, and a smaller-city pace without metro-sized costs. Compared with bigger Midwest cities, Cost of Living in St. Cloud, MN, United States is relatively manageable, especially for housing and daily groceries. Youโ€™ll find a range of rentals from airy apartments near campus to family homes a short drive from the river, often with shorter lease terms than a major city. Public services are solid and community amenities abound, though youโ€™ll notice fewer ultra-high-end options and more practical choices. Tip: Build your budget around housing plus heating during winter and youโ€™ll stay comfortable without surprises.
What does daily life look like in St. Cloud: housing search, food options, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life centers on a compact downtown and easy access to outdoor spaces, with a mix of rentals near St. Cloud State University and quieter pockets a short drive away. Use local listings and in-person visits to gauge lease terms and whatโ€™s included. Grocery stores and farmers markets offer seasonal produce, and youโ€™ll find a practical cafe-and-coffee-shop scene for work days. Public transit exists, but many residents rely on a car or bike. St. Cloud, MN, United States living cost varies by neighborhood, so plan for proximity to work, campus needs, and parking. Tip: test Wiโ€‘Fi in a few cafรฉs before committing to a coworking plan.
How can you maximize quality of life here, budget effectively, and choose a neighborhood that fits your pace and season?
A simple budgeting framework helps you balance fixed costs (rent, utilities) with flexible expenses (groceries, transport) and savings. Winters demand reliable heating and warm gear, while summers invite lake days and low-cost outdoor activities. Neighborhood fit matters โ€“ downtown and campus-adjacent zones keep you close to cafes, grocery lines, and transit, while quieter residential areas suit long stays. Use seasonal patterns to spot deals on appliances, groceries, and services. Tip: build a weekly routine that aligns errands, workouts, and social time so you stay productive without overspending.
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