Studio Apartment Rent in Forest Lake, MN
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Forest Lake, Minnesota as of July 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $1,625 and +8% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Forest Lake
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Forest Lake
Compare Forest Lake's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Minnesota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winona | $700 |
| 2 | Moorhead | $710 |
| 3 | Austin | $720 |
| 4 | Owatonna | $730 |
| 5 | Bemidji | $800 |
| 6 | Duluth | $848 |
| 7 | Waite Park | $890 |
| 8 | Saint Cloud | $940 |
| 9 | Rochester | $1,010 |
| 10 | Mankato | $1,030 |
| 11 | Anoka | $1,050 |
| 12 | Northfield | $1,060 |
| 13 | South Saint Paul | $1,060 |
| 14 | Saint Michael | $1,080 |
| 15 | Columbia Heights | $1,090 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Minnesota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodbury | $1,650 |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $1,600 |
| 3 | Eden Prairie | $1,570 |
| 4 | Lakeville | $1,550 |
| 5 | Cottage Grove | $1,540 |
| 6 | Edina | $1,520 |
| 7 | Blaine | $1,510 |
| 8 | Plymouth | $1,495 |
| 9 | Brooklyn Park | $1,495 |
| 10 | Savage | $1,470 |
| 11 | Rosemount | $1,470 |
| 12 | Minnetonka | $1,450 |
| 13 | Robbinsdale | $1,427 |
| 14 | Saint Louis Park | $1,385 |
| 15 | Vadnais Heights | $1,380 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Forest Lake.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Bear Lake, MN | 12 mi | $1,140 | $-50 (-4%) |
| Vadnais Heights, MN | 13 mi | $1,380 | +$190 (+16%) |
| Shoreview, MN | 14.5 mi | $1,280 | +$90 (+8%) |
| Blaine, MN | 14.9 mi | $1,510 | +$320 (+27%) |
| Little Canada, MN | 16.9 mi | $1,342 | +$152 (+13%) |
| New Brighton, MN | 17.1 mi | $1,100 | $-90 (-8%) |
| Maplewood, MN | 17.2 mi | $1,150 | $-40 (-3%) |
| Anoka, MN | 18 mi | $1,050 | $-140 (-12%) |
| Oakdale, MN | 19.4 mi | $1,180 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Roseville, MN | 19.5 mi | $1,180 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Fridley, MN | 19.7 mi | $1,130 | $-60 (-5%) |
| Coon Rapids, MN | 20.6 mi | $1,325 | +$135 (+11%) |
Studio rent in Forest Lake — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Forest Lake?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Forest Lake, Minnesota is $1,190 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $1,625.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Forest Lake?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $47,600 ($3,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Forest Lake expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Forest Lake's studio median of $1,190 is +8% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 42th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Forest Lake rank for studio rent in Minnesota?
Among the 63 cities in Minnesota with studio data, Forest Lake ranks #31 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Forest Lake?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include White Bear Lake ($1,140), New Brighton ($1,100), Maplewood ($1,150).