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 93, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Minnesota, Willmar has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Minnesota's index of 101.
The standard of living in Willmar ranks as #13 most affordable out of the 151 places we measured in Minnesota. By definition, that implies Willmar ranks as the #138 most expensive place in the North Star State.
For more reading on life in Willmar, check out:
Willmar Cost Of Living Vs. Minnesota
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Willmar. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Willmar is 102.
The Groceries index in Willmar is 98.
The Health index in Willmar is 74.
The Housing index in Willmar is 100.
The Transportation index in Willmar is 104.
The Utilities index in Willmar is 99.
| Living Expense | Willmar | Minnesota | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93 | 101 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 74 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 101 | 100 |
Willmar 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 Willmar Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Willmar is $237,639.
The Median Rent in Willmar is $910.
The Median Income in Willmar is $62,280.
The Home Value To Income in Willmar is 3.8x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Willmar is 0.18x.
Willmar, MN Costs By Category
Detailed Willmar Services costs vs. Minnesota
Detailed Willmar Groceries costs vs. Minnesota
Detailed Willmar Health costs vs. Minnesota
Detailed Willmar Transportation costs vs. Minnesota
Willmar SnackAbility
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 92, 1.0x Willmar.
Waite Park, MN has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Willmar.
Grove, OK has a cost of living index of 91, 1.0x Willmar.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Willmar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson, MN | 14,680 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Waite Park, MN | 8,399 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Grove, OK | 7,176 | 91 | 1.0x |
| St. Joseph, MN | 7,021 | 97 | 1.0x |
| Litchfield, MN | 6,576 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Montevideo, MN | 5,315 | 89 | 1.0x |
