City Report · MN

Saint Michael

·17th most expensive in Minnesota·Saint Michael rents are up 5.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,915/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
-$17
Reported rents
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Saint Michael · $1,915
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,915/mo, rent takes about 32% of the US median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$77,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Saint Michael's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,080
1 BR
$1,220
2 BR
$1,490
3 BR
$1,980
4 BR+
$2,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,490/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,915 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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Minnesota

Rent in Saint Michael changed +5.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 53 Minnesota cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

Cheaper nearby

Buffalo, 8 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,663/mo), about $3,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Saint Michael.

Annual cost
$22,980/yr
At $1,915/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.2% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Community

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View Saint Michael rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Saint Michael on your salary?

At $1,915/mo, how Saint Michael rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Saint Michael rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Saint Michael

About renting in Saint Michael, MN

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Saint Michael is $1,915/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,980/mo.

At 32% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Saint Michael ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Saint Michael?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,915/mo in Saint Michael.

Is rent going up or down in Saint Michael?

Rent in Saint Michael has risen 5.2% over the past year.

How does Saint Michael rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Saint Michael is one of the pricier among Minnesota cities for rent, ranking #17 of 68 tracked cities at $1,915/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Saint Michael changed +5.2%, against a typical +3.4% across the 53 Minnesota cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Saint Michael?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Saint Michael ($1,915/mo) include Buffalo ($1,663/mo), Monticello ($1,668/mo), and Elk River ($1,903/mo).
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,915/mo, rent takes ~32% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Saint Michael 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Saint Michael affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Saint Michael
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Saint Michael, MN

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