Rents are 3% above what White Bear Lake's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,748 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
White Bear Lake, MN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How White Bear Lake, MN has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in White Bear Lake, MN has shifted from $1,530 to $1,748, up 14.2% since 2023. Household income in the area moved from $75,963 to $83,554 across the same window, up 10.0% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show White Bear Lake, MN losing about 612 residents over the five-year window, down 2.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 34.3% to 32.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 35.9% to 41.7% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in White Bear Lake, MN look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in White Bear Lake on your salary?
At $1,748/mo, how White Bear Lake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
White Bear Lake rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in White Bear Lake. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in White Bear Lake
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in White Bear Lake is $1,748/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,570/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,290/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,090/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($83,554/yr), White Bear Lake ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is White Bear Lake an affordable city for renters?
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How does White Bear Lake rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?
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What percentage of White Bear Lake residents rent vs. own?
How does White Bear Lake rent compare to the national average?
At $1,748/mo, rent takes ~25% of White Bear Lake's median household income ($83,554/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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