Rents are right about where Golden Valley's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,940 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
February. Asking rents in Golden Valley usually run 1.6% below trend in February and 2.1% above it in June, about $72 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.
Rent in Golden Valley is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2020.
Rent in Golden Valley changed +2.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 53 Minnesota cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($108,772) is $2,719 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,610).
Robbinsdale, 2 miles away, rents for 14% less ($1,673/mo), about $3,200 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Golden Valley. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Golden Valley, MN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 60% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Golden Valley, MN has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Golden Valley, MN stood at $1,612 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,940, reflecting a 20.3% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $104,526 in 2021 to $108,772 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 22,247 residents to roughly 21,725. Renters now make up 29.3% of households, compared with 25.8% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Golden Valley, MN market of 2021.
Discussions about Golden Valley
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Golden Valley on your salary?
At $1,940/mo, how Golden Valley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Golden Valley rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Golden Valley. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Golden Valley
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Golden Valley is $1,940/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,270/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,750/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,330/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($108,772/yr), Golden Valley ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Golden Valley?
Is rent going up or down in Golden Valley?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Golden Valley?
How does Golden Valley rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Golden Valley?
At $1,940/mo, rent takes ~21% of Golden Valley's median household income ($108,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Golden Valley.
No discussions yet.