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City Report · MN

Oakdale

Pop. 28,585·23rd most expensive in Minnesota·Oakdale rents are up 9.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,843/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.1%
Month-over-Month
-4.8%
vs US Median
-$119
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oakdale · $1,843
More affordable than 51% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,843/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$74,000/yr
Local median income
$93,772/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Oakdale's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,180
1 BR
$1,340
2 BR
$1,630
3 BR
$2,170
4 BR+
$2,430
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,630/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,843 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$22,116/yr
At $1,843/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.1% YoY, -4.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Oakdale, MN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 35.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
28,585
Median income
$93,772
Median age
39.7
Renters
22.5%
Age distribution
22.2%
22.2%
24.2%
14.3%
17.1%
Under 1822.2%
18–3422.2%
35–5424.2%
55–6414.3%
65+17.1%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
67.9%
12.9%
White67.9%
Black9.5%
Hispanic5.4%
Asian12.9%
Other4.2%
Education (25+)
24.4%
33.6%
35.6%
No HS diploma6.4%
HS diploma24.4%
Some college33.6%
Bachelor's+35.6%
Housing tenure
77.5%
22.5%
Owner77.5%
Renter22.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Oakdale, MN has changed in 5 years

Income
$78,586 → $93,772
up 19.3%
Population
28,019 → 28,585
up 2.0%
Renter share
22.4% → 22.5%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
32.1% → 35.6%
+3.5 pts
Median age
41.9 → 39.7
-2.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $78,586 to $93,772 across the same window, up 19.3% versus 2021. Census counts show Oakdale, MN adding about 566 residents over the five-year window, up 2.0% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 32.1% to 35.6% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Oakdale

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

Can you afford rent in Oakdale on your salary?

At $1,843/mo, how Oakdale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Oakdale rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Oakdale

About renting in Oakdale, MN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Oakdale is $1,843/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,180/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,170/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($93,772/yr), Oakdale ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oakdale an affordable city for renters?

Oakdale is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,843/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($93,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oakdale falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Oakdale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,843/mo in Oakdale. The local median household income is $93,772/yr, meaning the typical Oakdale household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oakdale?

Rent in Oakdale has increased 9.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Oakdale rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Oakdale is one of the pricier cities in Minnesota for rent, ranking #23 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,843/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Oakdale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Oakdale ($1,843/mo): South Saint Paul ($1,455/mo), North Saint Paul ($1,479/mo), Maplewood ($1,509/mo).

What percentage of Oakdale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.5% of Oakdale households are renters, while 77.5% are owner-occupied. Oakdale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Oakdale rent compare to the national average?

Oakdale's median rent of $1,843/mo is $119 (6%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #23 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,843/mo, rent takes ~24% of Oakdale's median household income ($93,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oakdale 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Oakdale affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Oakdale
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Oakdale, MN

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