Brainerd is a small city of 14,412 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $46,933
and a 7.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Brainerd stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Brainerd is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Brainerd city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 94.1
Brainerd's overall cost of living index is 94.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Brainerd costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Brainerd, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$162,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$799
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
55.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$46,933
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Brainerd's violent crime rate is 431.1 per 100,000 residents
— 13% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
431.1 /100k
Property Crime
1779.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Brainerd is served primarily by BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Brainerd, MN
National Avg
School District
BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Brainerd sees average highs of 19.6°F in January
and 80.1°F in July,
with 30.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 48.2 inches of snow per year.
Brainerd's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Brainerd roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $162,800 and median rent is $799/month.
Brainerd's violent crime rate is 431.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1779.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Brainerd are operated by BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1. 18.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Brainerd, MN has a population of 14,412, a median household income of $46,933, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Brainerd averages 19.6°F in January and 80.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 30.6 inches
with about 48.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Brainerd, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56401.
The population of Brainerd, Minnesota is 14,412 with a median age of 36.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Brainerd: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $162,800, median household income $46,933, crime index 102 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Brainerd side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
.JPG)
.jpg)