Moving to Brainerd
What you need to know before relocating to Brainerd, Minnesota. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Brainerd a Good Place to Live?
Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Brainerd compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($1,008/mo) is below the national average; violent crime rate (261/100k) is well below the national average; high school graduation rate of 94%.
Brainerd at a Glance
Cost of Living in Brainerd
The median rent in Brainerd is $1,008/month, while the median home value is $323,000. With a median household income of $70,191, residents spend roughly 17% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Brainerd metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Brainerd has a median household income of $70,191, which is 6% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Brainerd
The violent crime rate in Brainerd is 261 per 100,000 residents, which is 31% below the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 1702 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Minnesota
Minnesota has a high school graduation rate of 94% and per-pupil spending of $18,057/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1.
40% of Minnesota adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Minnesota has 318 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 4.8% uninsured rate, and 2.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Minnesota is 78.7 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Brainerd
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($1,008/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Violent crime rate (261/100k) is well below the national average
- ✓High school graduation rate of 94%
- ✓Low uninsured rate (4.8%) and good healthcare access
-Cons
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (40007 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brainerd a good place to live?⌄
Brainerd, Minnesota has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($1,008/mo) is below the national average and violent crime rate (261/100k) is well below the national average. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brainerd?⌄
The median rent in Brainerd is $1,008/month and the median home value is $323,000. The median household income is $70,191. Overall the metro is considered affordable.
Is Brainerd safe?⌄
Brainerd has a violent crime rate of 261 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Brainerd?⌄
Brainerd has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $70,191.