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City Report · MN

Moorhead

Pop. 45,036·62nd most expensive in Minnesota·Moorhead rents have dropped 5.7%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,258/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.7%
Month-over-Month
-5.8%
vs US Median
-$707
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Moorhead · $1,258
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
74/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% below what Moorhead's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,258/mo
Expected by trend
$1,427/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Moorhead's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$710
1 BR
$860
2 BR
$1,040
3 BR
$1,460
4 BR+
$1,750
Research median
$1,040/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,096/yr
At $1,258/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.7% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.7% YoY, -5.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Moorhead, MN is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 41.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
45,036
Median income
$72,761
Median age
31.3
Renters
41.9%
Age distribution
23%
31.8%
23.4%
12.7%
Under 1823%
18–3431.8%
35–5423.4%
55–649.1%
65+12.7%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
82.4%
White82.4%
Black6.4%
Hispanic5.3%
Asian2%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
21.6%
32%
41.6%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma21.6%
Some college32%
Bachelor's+41.6%
Housing tenure
58.1%
41.9%
Owner58.1%
Renter41.9%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Moorhead, MN has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,218 → $1,258
up 3.3%
Income
$62,940 → $72,761
up 15.6%
Population
44,129 → 45,036
up 2.1%
Renter share
40.8% → 41.9%
+1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
39.4% → 41.6%
+2.2 pts

Since 2023, the typical rent in Moorhead, MN has increased from $1,218 to $1,258, a 3.3% change over five years. Median household income rose from $62,940 to $72,761 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.6% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 44,129 residents to roughly 45,036. College-educated residents now make up 41.6% of adults here, versus 39.4% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Moorhead, MN reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Moorhead on your salary?

At $1,258/mo, how Moorhead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Moorhead rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Moorhead

About renting in Moorhead, MN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Moorhead is $1,258/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $710/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,040/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $860/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,460/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($72,761/yr), Moorhead ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Moorhead an affordable city for renters?

Moorhead is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,258/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($72,761/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Moorhead falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Moorhead?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,258/mo in Moorhead. The local median household income is $72,761/yr, meaning the typical Moorhead household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Moorhead?

Rent in Moorhead has decreased 5.7% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Moorhead rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Moorhead is one of the more affordable cities in Minnesota for rent, ranking #62 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,258/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Moorhead?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Moorhead ($1,258/mo): Wahpeton ($903/mo), Fargo ($1,088/mo).

What percentage of Moorhead residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.9% of Moorhead households are renters, while 58.1% are owner-occupied. Moorhead leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Moorhead rent compare to the national average?

Moorhead's median rent of $1,258/mo is $707 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #62 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,258/mo, rent takes ~21% of Moorhead's median household income ($72,761/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Moorhead, MN

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