Willmar, MN Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Willmar, MN Summary

Cost of living in Willmar 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 Willmar 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 Willmar is 94, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Willmar is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Willmar ranks as the #15 cheapest in Minnesota out of 148.

  • Willmar ranks as the #1,806 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Willmar is $243,646.

  • The median income in Willmar is $63,368.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
94
Willmar's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Willmar, MN?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Willmar has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Minnesota, Willmar has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Minnesota's index of 97.

The standard of living in Willmar ranks as #15 most affordable out of the 148 places we measured in Minnesota. By definition, that implies Willmar ranks as the #133 most expensive place in the North Star State.

For more reading on life in Willmar, check out:

15 out of 148
In Minnesota
1,806 out of 6,489
In America

Willmar Cost Of Living Vs. Minnesota

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

  • The Services index in Willmar is 111.

  • The Groceries index in Willmar is 96.

  • The Health index in Willmar is 125.

  • The Housing index in Willmar is 75.

  • The Transportation index in Willmar is 98.

  • The Utilities index in Willmar is 93.

Living Expense Willmar Minnesota National Average
Overall 94 97 100
Services 111 101 100
Groceries 96 99 100
Health 125 110 100
Housing 75 100 100
Transportation 98 95 100
Utilities 93 94 100
For more reading on cost of living around Minnesota, check out:
Willmar Cost of Living Vs. MN

Willmar, 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 Willmar is $243,646.

  • The Median Rent in Willmar is $830.

  • The Median Income in Willmar is $63,368.

  • The Home Value To Income in Willmar is 3.8x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Willmar is 0.16x.

Statistic Willmar Minnesota United States
Median Home Value $243,646 $344,484 $303,400
Median Rent $830 $1,235 $1,348
Median Income $63,368 $87,556 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.8x 3.9x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.16x 0.17x 0.21x
$243,646
Median Home Value
$830
Median Rent
$63,368
Median Income

Willmar, MN Costs By Category

Detailed Willmar Services Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Willmar 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 Willmar Groceries Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Willmar 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 Willmar Health Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Willmar Minnesota
Optometrist $109.94 $125.68
Doctor $162.98 $135.78
Dentist $96.9 $113.29

Detailed Willmar Transportation Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Willmar Minnesota
Gasoline $3.31 $3.46
Tire Balancing $61.97 $59.92

Detailed Willmar Utilities Costs Vs. Minnesota

Item Willmar Minnesota
All Electricity $175.69 $193.99
Phone $188.55 $192.25

Willmar SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
9
Safety
4
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
10

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Willmar

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

  • Hutchinson, MN has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x Willmar.

  • Waite Park, MN has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Willmar.

  • Grove, OK has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Willmar.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Willmar
Hutchinson, MN 14,629 97 1.0x
Waite Park, MN 8,341 100 1.1x
Grove, OK 7,101 92 1.0x
St. Joseph, MN 7,024 101 1.1x
Litchfield, MN 6,599 99 1.1x
Montevideo, MN 5,303 91 1.0x

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