Living in Brainerd, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Brainerd · Census data 2020–2024
Brainerd has 14,468 residents with a median age of 35.1. The median household income is $56,111 (37% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $192,500, the median rent is $827/month.
Brainerd at a glance
- Population
- 14,468
- Median age
- 35.1State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $56,111State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $192,500State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $827/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 56.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.3%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Brainerd a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 9%; a poverty rate of 15%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Brainerd
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Brainerd the median home value is $192,500, 42% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $827 per month, which is 26.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,420 a month in housing costs.
Brainerd median household income
The median household income in Brainerd is $56,111 and the income per person is $31,316. 15% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Brainerd: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,760
- Owner-occupied
- 56.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.5%
- Vacant
- 6.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.17
Brainerd demographics
- Population
- 14,468
- Median age
- 35.1
- Under 18
- 22.1%
- 65 and older
- 17.7%
- Households
- 6,348
- Foreign-born
- 1%
- Veterans
- 6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Brainerd ›
Education in Brainerd
20.3% of adults 25 and older in Brainerd have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 5.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Brainerd
- Unemployment rate
- 9%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 7.5%
- Drive alone
- 72.5%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.3%
Brainerd vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brainerd | 14,468 | $56,111 | $192,500 | $827 |
| Baxter | 8,966 | $70,688 | $324,100 | $1,154 |
| Merrifield | 121 | $39,572 | $226,800 | — |
| East Gull Lake | 1,076 | $123,333 | $553,700 | $1,438 |
| Riverton | 145 | $55,313 | $120,800 | $730 |
| Nisswa | 1,954 | $100,000 | $481,200 | $867 |
| Ironton | 621 | $62,813 | $144,000 | $1,014 |
| Lake Shore | 1,073 | $96,563 | $513,200 | — |
| Pillager | 547 | $67,679 | $180,300 | $1,063 |
More for people moving to Brainerd
Brainerd ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Brainerd: FAQ
What is the median household income in Brainerd, MN?
The median household income in Brainerd is $56,111, 37% 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 Brainerd?
The median home value in Brainerd is $192,500, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Brainerd?
The median gross rent in Brainerd is $827 per month, about 26.3% of household income.
Is Brainerd, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 9%; a poverty rate of 15%.
What is the median age in Brainerd?
The median age in Brainerd is 35.1 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Brainerd?
The average commute to work in Brainerd is 20 minutes; 7.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Brainerd?
The unemployment rate in Brainerd is 9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Brainerd?
20.3% of adults in Brainerd 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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