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City Report · MN

Bemidji

Pop. 15,569·60th most expensive in Minnesota·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,287/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-8.8%
vs US Median
-$675
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bemidji · $1,287
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,287/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$55,405/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bemidji's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$800
1 BR
$830
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,320
4 BR+
$1,560
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,090/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,287 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,444/yr
At $1,287/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -8.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bemidji, MN is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 32.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,569
Median income
$55,405
Median age
30
Renters
56.9%
Age distribution
19.6%
36.3%
18.5%
17.1%
Under 1819.6%
18–3436.3%
35–5418.5%
55–648.6%
65+17.1%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
71.5%
21.8%
White71.5%
Black2.4%
Hispanic3.2%
Asian1.1%
Other21.8%
Education (25+)
26.8%
33%
32.5%
No HS diploma7.8%
HS diploma26.8%
Some college33%
Bachelor's+32.5%
Housing tenure
43.1%
56.9%
Owner43.1%
Renter56.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bemidji, MN has changed in 5 years

Income
$42,218 → $55,405
up 31.2%
Population
15,114 → 15,569
up 3.0%
Renter share
60.7% → 56.9%
-3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
28.6% → 32.5%
+3.9 pts
Median age
27.6 → 30
+2.4 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $55,405 today, compared with $42,218 five years earlier. The population has grown by 3.0% since 2021, moving from about 15,114 residents to roughly 15,569. Renters now make up 56.9% of households, compared with 60.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 32.5% of adults here, versus 28.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Bemidji

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View Bemidji rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bemidji on your salary?

At $1,287/mo, how Bemidji rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bemidji rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bemidji. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bemidji

About renting in Bemidji, MN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bemidji is $1,287/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,320/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($55,405/yr), Bemidji ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bemidji an affordable city for renters?

Bemidji is considered affordable for renters. At $1,287/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($55,405/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bemidji falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bemidji?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,287/mo in Bemidji. The local median household income is $55,405/yr, meaning the typical Bemidji household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bemidji?

Rent in Bemidji has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Bemidji rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Bemidji is one of the more affordable cities in Minnesota for rent, ranking #60 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,287/mo.

What percentage of Bemidji residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.9% of Bemidji households are renters, while 43.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Bemidji has a strong rental market.

How does Bemidji rent compare to the national average?

Bemidji's median rent of $1,287/mo is $675 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #60 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,287/mo, rent takes ~28% of Bemidji's median household income ($55,405/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bemidji 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Bemidji affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bemidji
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bemidji, MN

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