What is the cost of living in Fergus Falls, MN?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Fergus Falls has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Minnesota, Fergus Falls has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Minnesota's index of 101.
The standard of living in Fergus Falls ranks as #8 most affordable out of the 151 places we measured in Minnesota. By definition, that implies Fergus Falls ranks as the #143 most expensive place in the North Star State.
For more reading on life in Fergus Falls, check out:
Fergus Falls Cost Of Living Vs. Minnesota
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Fergus Falls. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Fergus Falls is 103.
The Groceries index in Fergus Falls is 98.
The Health index in Fergus Falls is 75.
The Housing index in Fergus Falls is 101.
The Transportation index in Fergus Falls is 104.
The Utilities index in Fergus Falls is 98.
| Living Expense | Fergus Falls | Minnesota | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91 | 101 | 100 |
| Services | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 75 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | 100 |
Fergus Falls Cost Of Living Compared To Minnesota Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Minnesota, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Fergus Falls Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Fergus Falls, 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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Fergus Falls is $197,185.
The Median Rent in Fergus Falls is $911.
The Median Income in Fergus Falls is $56,162.
The Home Value To Income in Fergus Falls is 3.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Fergus Falls is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Fergus Falls | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $197,185 | $346,667 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $911 | $1,280 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $56,162 | $89,062 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.5x | 3.9x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Fergus Falls, MN Costs By Category
Detailed Fergus Falls Services costs vs. Minnesota
| Item | Fergus Falls | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.52 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $11.24 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $26.39 | $18 |
| Haircut | $27.97 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $37.17 | $45.56 |
Detailed Fergus Falls Groceries costs vs. Minnesota
| Item | Fergus Falls | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.75 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.35 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.58 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.86 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $13.07 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.52 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.62 | $3.7 |
Detailed Fergus Falls Health costs vs. Minnesota
| Item | Fergus Falls | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $109.94 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $162.98 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $96.9 | $113.29 |
Detailed Fergus Falls Transportation costs vs. Minnesota
| Item | Fergus Falls | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.31 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $61.97 | $59.92 |
Detailed Fergus Falls Utilities costs vs. Minnesota
| Item | Fergus Falls | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $175.69 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $188.55 | $192.25 |
Fergus Falls SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Fergus Falls
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Fergus Falls. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Alexandria, MN has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Fergus Falls.
Detroit Lakes, MN has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Fergus Falls.
Wahpeton, ND has a cost of living index of 93, 1.0x Fergus Falls.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Fergus Falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, MN | 14,735 | 99 | 1.1x |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 10,025 | 99 | 1.1x |
| Wahpeton, ND | 8,010 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Morris, MN | 5,128 | 95 | 1.0x |








