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City Report · MN

Crystal

Pop. 22,476·41st most expensive in Minnesota·Rental market data updated monthly for Crystal, MN
Median rent (all units)
$1,587/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-5.5%
vs US Median
-$375
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Crystal · $1,587
More affordable than 70% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,587/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$92,513/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Crystal's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,240
1 BR
$1,400
2 BR
$1,710
3 BR
$2,280
4 BR+
$2,550
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,710/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,587 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
$19,044/yr
At $1,587/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, -5.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Crystal, MN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 37.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,476
Median income
$92,513
Median age
37.7
Renters
23.1%
Age distribution
21.3%
23.8%
26.7%
16.6%
Under 1821.3%
18–3423.8%
35–5426.7%
55–6411.6%
65+16.6%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
65.5%
13.8%
White65.5%
Black13.8%
Hispanic11.3%
Asian3.5%
Other6%
Education (25+)
23.5%
32.3%
37.1%
No HS diploma7.1%
HS diploma23.5%
Some college32.3%
Bachelor's+37.1%
Housing tenure
76.9%
23.1%
Owner76.9%
Renter23.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Crystal, MN has changed in 5 years

Income
$77,117 → $92,513
up 20.0%
Population
23,143 → 22,476
down 2.9%
Renter share
24% → 23.1%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
34.7% → 37.1%
+2.4 pts

Household income in the area moved from $77,117 to $92,513 across the same window, up 20.0% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 23,143 to 22,476 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 34.7% to 37.1%.

Community

Discussions about Crystal

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

Can you afford rent in Crystal on your salary?

At $1,587/mo, how Crystal rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Crystal rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Crystal

About renting in Crystal, MN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Crystal is $1,587/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,240/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,710/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,400/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,280/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($92,513/yr), Crystal ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Crystal an affordable city for renters?

Crystal is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,587/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($92,513/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Crystal falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Crystal?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,587/mo in Crystal. The local median household income is $92,513/yr, meaning the typical Crystal household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Crystal?

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

How does Crystal rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Crystal is middle-of-the-pack for Minnesota for rent, ranking #41 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,587/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Crystal?

New Hope is nearby and more affordable at $1,412/mo, which is $175 less than Crystal.

What percentage of Crystal residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 23.1% of Crystal households are renters, while 76.9% are owner-occupied. Crystal leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Crystal rent compare to the national average?

Crystal's median rent of $1,587/mo is $375 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #41 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,587/mo, rent takes ~21% of Crystal's median household income ($92,513/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Crystal 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Crystal affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Crystal, MN

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