Living in Albert Lea, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Albert Lea · Census data 2020–2024
Albert Lea has 18,330 residents with a median age of 44.3. The median household income is $64,603 (27% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $157,500, the median rent is $857/month.
Albert Lea at a glance
- Population
- 18,330
- Median age
- 44.3State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $64,603State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $157,500State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $857/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 74.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.4%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Albert Lea a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 27% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Albert Lea
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Albert Lea the median home value is $157,500, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $857 per month, which is 29.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,182 a month in housing costs.
Albert Lea median household income
The median household income in Albert Lea is $64,603 and the income per person is $39,282. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Albert Lea: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,552
- Owner-occupied
- 74.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 25.9%
- Vacant
- 8.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.29
Albert Lea demographics
- Population
- 18,330
- Median age
- 44.3
- Under 18
- 21.4%
- 65 and older
- 25.2%
- Households
- 7,788
- Foreign-born
- 5.5%
- Veterans
- 7.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Albert Lea ›
Education in Albert Lea
17.4% of adults 25 and older in Albert Lea have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 6.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Albert Lea
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 7.1%
- Drive alone
- 77.5%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 3.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.1%
Albert Lea vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Lea | 18,330 | $64,603 | $157,500 | $857 |
| Hayward | 231 | $61,250 | $114,000 | — |
| Glenville | 572 | $56,563 | $123,300 | $903 |
| Twin Lakes | 158 | $55,089 | — | $558 |
| Clarks Grove | 636 | $73,750 | $123,400 | $845 |
| Alden | 629 | $73,250 | $128,400 | $1,042 |
| Hollandale | 340 | $64,375 | $151,500 | $642 |
| Emmons | 363 | $57,969 | $106,700 | $792 |
| Hartland | 422 | $86,250 | $166,900 | $529 |
More for people moving to Albert Lea
Albert Lea ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Albert Lea: FAQ
What is the median household income in Albert Lea, MN?
The median household income in Albert Lea is $64,603, 27% lower than the Minnesota median of $89,062 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Albert Lea?
The median home value in Albert Lea is $157,500, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Albert Lea?
The median gross rent in Albert Lea is $857 per month, about 29.5% of household income.
Is Albert Lea, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 27% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
What is the median age in Albert Lea?
The median age in Albert Lea is 44.3 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Albert Lea?
The average commute to work in Albert Lea is 18 minutes; 7.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Albert Lea?
The unemployment rate in Albert Lea is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Albert Lea?
17.4% of adults in Albert Lea have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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