Detroit Lakes, MN Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Detroit Lakes, MN Summary

Cost of living in Detroit Lakes research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Detroit Lakes is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Minnesota, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Detroit Lakes is 98, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Detroit Lakes is 1.0x lower than the national average.

  • Detroit Lakes ranks as the #32 cheapest in Minnesota out of 148.

  • Detroit Lakes ranks as the #2,372 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Detroit Lakes is $367,358.

  • The median income in Detroit Lakes is $62,123.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
98
Detroit Lakes's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Detroit Lakes, MN?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Detroit Lakes has an overall cost of living index of 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Minnesota, Detroit Lakes has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Minnesota's index of 97.

The standard of living in Detroit Lakes ranks as #32 most affordable out of the 148 places we measured in Minnesota. By definition, that implies Detroit Lakes ranks as the #116 most expensive place in the North Star State.

For more reading on life in Detroit Lakes, check out:

32 out of 148
In Minnesota
2,372 out of 6,489
In America

Detroit Lakes Cost Of Living Vs. Minnesota

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Detroit Lakes. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Detroit Lakes is 91.

  • The Groceries index in Detroit Lakes is 94.

  • The Health index in Detroit Lakes is 105.

  • The Housing index in Detroit Lakes is 95.

  • The Transportation index in Detroit Lakes is 95.

  • The Utilities index in Detroit Lakes is 109.

Living Expense Detroit Lakes Minnesota National Average
Overall 98 97 100
Services 91 101 100
Groceries 94 99 100
Health 105 110 100
Housing 95 100 100
Transportation 95 95 100
Utilities 109 94 100
For more reading on cost of living around Minnesota, check out:
Detroit Lakes Cost of Living Vs. MN

Detroit Lakes, MN Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Minnesota, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Detroit Lakes is $367,358.

  • The Median Rent in Detroit Lakes is $925.

  • The Median Income in Detroit Lakes is $62,123.

  • The Home Value To Income in Detroit Lakes is 5.9x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Detroit Lakes is 0.18x.

Statistic Detroit Lakes Minnesota United States
Median Home Value $367,358 $344,484 $303,400
Median Rent $925 $1,235 $1,348
Median Income $62,123 $87,556 $78,538
Home Value To Income 5.9x 3.9x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.18x 0.17x 0.21x
$367,358
Median Home Value
$925
Median Rent
$62,123
Median Income

Detroit Lakes, MN Costs By Category

Detailed Detroit Lakes Services Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Detroit Lakes Minnesota
Shampoo $1.04 $1.28
Movie $8.02 $12.13
Bowling $20.0 $18
Haircut $22.5 $24.26
Beauty Salon $38.0 $45.56

Detailed Detroit Lakes Groceries Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Detroit Lakes Minnesota
Ground Beef $5.52 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.38 $1.57
Milk $4.48 $4.67
Potatoes $4.94 $4.93
Pizza $10.49 $12.09
Beer $10.11 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.88 $3.7

Detailed Detroit Lakes Health Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Detroit Lakes Minnesota
Optometrist $140.67 $125.68
Doctor $169.5 $135.78
Dentist $96.0 $113.29

Detailed Detroit Lakes Transportation Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Detroit Lakes Minnesota
Gasoline $3.27 $3.46
Tire Balancing $57.0 $59.92

Detailed Detroit Lakes Utilities Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Detroit Lakes Minnesota
All Electricity $222.79 $193.99
Phone $191.52 $192.25

Detroit Lakes SnackAbility

8
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
7
Affordability
7
Diversity
5
Safety
6
Amenities
8
Education
8
Commute
10

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Detroit Lakes

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Detroit Lakes. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Fargo, ND has a cost of living index of 101, 1.0x Detroit Lakes.

  • Moorhead, MN has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x Detroit Lakes.

  • Fergus Falls, MN has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x Detroit Lakes.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Detroit Lakes
Fargo, ND 129,064 101 1.0x
Moorhead, MN 44,706 97 1.0x
Fergus Falls, MN 14,138 97 1.0x

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