How much does it cost to rent in Golden Valley, MN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Golden Valley, MN is $2,001. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Golden Valley cheaper than other Minnesota cities?

Golden Valley is one of the pricier cities in Minnesota, ranking #11 out of 67 cities tracked at $2,001/mo.

When was Golden Valley rent data last updated?

Golden Valley rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MN

Golden Valley

Name: Average Rent Prices in Golden Valley, MN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 21,725·11th most expensive in Minnesota·Golden Valley rents are up 7.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,001/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

+$36

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Golden Valley · $2,001

More expensive than 59% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

44/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Golden Valley's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,001/mo

Expected by trend

$1,947/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Golden Valley's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,270

1 BR

$1,430

2 BR

$1,750

3 BR

$2,330

4 BR+

$2,610

Research median

$1,750/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$24,012/yr

At $2,001/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

21,725

Median income

$108,772

Median age

44.2

Renters

29.3%

Age distribution

18.8%

18.5%

25.7%

14.3%

22.7%

Under 1818.8%

18–3418.5%

35–5425.7%

55–6414.3%

65+22.7%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

77.9%

White77.9%

Black6.9%

Hispanic5.2%

Asian3.1%

Other6.9%

Education (25+)

14.2%

22.1%

60%

No HS diploma3.7%

HS diploma14.2%

Some college22.1%

Bachelor's+60%

Housing tenure

70.7%

29.3%

Owner70.7%

Renter29.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Golden Valley, MN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,644 → $2,001

up 21.7%

Income

$104,526 → $108,772

up 4.1%

Population

22,247 → 21,725

down 2.3%

Renter share

25.8% → 29.3%

+3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

60.5% → 60%

-0.5 pts

Median age

45.1 → 44.2

-0.9 yrs

The median rent in Golden Valley, MN stood at $1,644 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,001, reflecting a 21.7% 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.

Community

Discussions about Golden Valley

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View Golden Valley rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Golden Valley on your salary?

At $2,001/mo, how Golden Valley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $98,259/yr · Rent = 24.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $69,763/yr · Rent = 34.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $80,361/yr · Rent = 29.9% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $143,634/yr · Rent = 16.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $183,529/yr · Rent = 13.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,322/yr · Rent = 36.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $58,978/yr · Rent = 40.7% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $72,696/yr · Rent = 33% income

stretched

By apartment size

Golden Valley rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Golden Valley

About renting in Golden Valley, MN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Golden Valley is $2,001/mo as of July 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 22% of local median household income ($108,772/yr), Golden Valley ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Golden Valley an affordable city for renters?

Golden Valley is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,001/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($108,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Golden Valley falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Golden Valley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,001/mo in Golden Valley. The local median household income is $108,772/yr, meaning the typical Golden Valley household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Golden Valley?

Rent in Golden Valley has increased 7.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Golden Valley rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Golden Valley is one of the pricier cities in Minnesota for rent, ranking #11 out of 67 tracked cities at $2,001/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Golden Valley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Golden Valley ($2,001/mo): Brooklyn Center ($1,408/mo), New Hope ($1,442/mo), Crystal ($1,679/mo).

What percentage of Golden Valley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.3% of Golden Valley households are renters, while 70.7% are owner-occupied. Golden Valley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Golden Valley rent compare to the national average?

Golden Valley's median rent of $2,001/mo is $36 (2%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #11 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,001/mo, rent takes ~22% of Golden Valley's median household income ($108,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Golden Valley 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5.35–9.85%

Run the Golden Valley affordability calculator →

Nearby cities