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City Report · MN

Northfield

Pop. 20,742·39th most expensive in Minnesota·Rental market data updated monthly for Northfield, MN
Median rent (all units)
$1,640/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.7%
vs US Median
-$325
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Northfield · $1,640
More affordable than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,640/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$66,000/yr
Local median income
$84,895/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Northfield's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,060
1 BR
$1,200
2 BR
$1,460
3 BR
$1,970
4 BR+
$2,240
Research median
$1,460/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
$19,680/yr
At $1,640/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, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Northfield, MN is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 53.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,742
Median income
$84,895
Median age
28.2
Renters
30.7%
Age distribution
17.2%
38.2%
19%
16.2%
Under 1817.2%
18–3438.2%
35–5419%
55–649.4%
65+16.2%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
80.7%
13.2%
White80.7%
Black2.1%
Hispanic13.2%
Asian4.4%
Education (25+)
19%
24.3%
53.3%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma19%
Some college24.3%
Bachelor's+53.3%
Housing tenure
69.3%
30.7%
Owner69.3%
Renter30.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Northfield, MN has changed in 5 years

Income
$73,877 → $84,895
up 14.9%
Population
20,374 → 20,742
up 1.8%
Renter share
32.4% → 30.7%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
50.4% → 53.3%
+2.9 pts

Median household income rose from $73,877 to $84,895 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.9% shift. The population has grown by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 20,374 residents to roughly 20,742. Renters now make up 30.7% of households, compared with 32.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 53.3% of adults here, versus 50.4% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Northfield on your salary?

At $1,640/mo, how Northfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Northfield rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Northfield

About renting in Northfield, MN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Northfield is $1,640/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,060/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,970/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($84,895/yr), Northfield ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Northfield an affordable city for renters?

Northfield is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,640/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($84,895/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Northfield falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Northfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,640/mo in Northfield. The local median household income is $84,895/yr, meaning the typical Northfield household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Northfield?

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

How does Northfield rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Northfield is middle-of-the-pack for Minnesota for rent, ranking #39 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,640/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Northfield?

Burnsville is nearby and more affordable at $1,486/mo, which is $154 less than Northfield.

What percentage of Northfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.7% of Northfield households are renters, while 69.3% are owner-occupied. Northfield leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Northfield rent compare to the national average?

Northfield's median rent of $1,640/mo is $325 (17%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #39 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,640/mo, rent takes ~23% of Northfield's median household income ($84,895/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Northfield 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Northfield affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Northfield, MN

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