CitytisticsShortlist

Cost of living, pay and housing

45.17° N · 93.21° W · GEOID 2706382

Blaine

Anoka County, Minnesota · part of the Minneapolis, MN metro

MinnesotaBlaine, MNBlaineBlaine

The short answer

Blaine is home to 72,488 people. Median household income is $106,801 a year and median rent is $1,705 a month, 19.2% of income (a ratio of two medians, not any one household's burden). Rent pressure is lighter than in most places. The median home is valued at $352,400, about 3.3x annual median household income.

Blaine's housing market sets it apart. 85% of homes are owner-occupied, more than in 98% of places its size. Also notable: Money left after rent is $83,500, against $96,100 in its closest peers.

85OF 100

CTXCitytistics Index

Strong

Blaine scores better than 85% of the 6,612 places we rate, and ranks 62nd of 151 in Minnesota.

How the CTX is built

Category ratings · 0 to 100, typical place 50

Affordability 20%63
Economy 20%70
Safety 20%69
Amenities 15%58
Education 10%60
Commute 10%53
Growth 5%74
Median gross rent
$1,705
25% above the median place
Median household income
$106,801
33% above the median place
Median home value
$352,400
10% above the median place
Unemployment
4.2%
14% below the median place

Compared with the median of the 6,645 places we track. The bundle was checked 2026-11-14; each measure may refer to an older release.

What stands out about Blaine

  • GrowthCompared with the 25 places most like it in size, age, education, housing and region (such as Cottage Grove, MN, Lakeville, MN and Shakopee, MN), home value growth here is higher: 8.8% a year against a typical 7.6% a year.
01

Moving to Blaine

Anoka County gains about 2.2 residents per 1,000 a year to moves between counties.

Moved in19,481
Moved out18,750
Net+731

Where people come from and where they go, top counties

Hennepin County, MN6,8685,394+1,474
Ramsey County, MN3,8802,721+1,159
Wright County, MN383716−333
Isanti County, MN381660−279
Chisago County, MN363473−110

Within Minnesota, other states or abroad

Arrivals
Leavers
Within MinnesotaOther statesAbroad

Income per tax return

Arrivals$61K
Leavers$65K

People on tax returns who moved between counties, from IRS migration data, 2022 to 2023. Figures are for all of Anoka County; flows under 20 returns are not published.

Who moves here
5.1% of residents arrived from another county in the past year, 0.9% from another state.
Who arrives and who leaves
Households moving into Anoka County report $60,700 a year in income on average; those leaving, $64,900, so leavers earn more than newcomers.
Income you would need
$68,200 a year to rent the median home at the 30% line. From your city
Rent or buy
Median rent is $1,705 a month; owners with a mortgage pay $2,008 a month including taxes and insurance, on a median home of $352,400.
Getting to work
25 minutes each way on average; 20.6% work from home.
If it is close but not quite
Algonquin, IL matches it on character for less of your income. Compare the two
Moved from another state1
0.9%
53% below the median place
Moved here in the past year1
5.1%
12% below the median place
Income of households moving in8
$60,659
14% below the median place
All 5 moving measures
MeasureBlaineAmong 6,645 placesVs median
Moved here in the past year15.1%12% below
Moved from another state10.9%53% below
Net movers per 1,000 people8County figure2.2above (median -0.6)
Income of households moving in8County figure$60,65914% below
Income of households moving out8County figure$64,9398% below
02

What it costs to live here

Vacant homes is 3.6%, 48% below the median place.

Blaine19.2%
Typical place20.4%

Share of the median household income that goes to the median rent. Above 30% is the usual stress line.

Income needed to rent
$68,200
a year, at the 30% line
Rent to income
19.2%
6% below the median place
Home price to income
3.3x
13% below the median place

Could you afford it?

The median rent would take
19%
comfortably under the 30% line
Left after rent, in US prices
$83,700
a year
Vs the typical household here
Same
as the median household

Uses the median rent in Blaine, $1,705 a month, and local prices for everything else (103.4 against a US average of 100). It runs in your browser and stores nothing.

Like Blaine, but easier on the budget

Places that match Blaine on character (size, age, education, homeownership, household size, housing age, remote work and climate) but where rent takes a clearly smaller share of income. Cost was left out of the match on purpose.

PlaceMatchRent to incomeMore left a year
Algonquin, IL9315.4% vs 19.2%$28,200Compare
South Elgin, IL9115.5% vs 19.2%$22,000Compare
Urbandale, IA9012.9% vs 19.2%$22,000Compare
Crystal Lake, IL9016.2% vs 19.2%$5,600Compare

Moving from somewhere else? Work out the salary you would need in Blaine.

Sponsored · exampleMoving to Blaine? Compare quotes from licensed movers. No partner is signed yet. Sponsored offers are always labelled and never change the data.
Vacant homes1
3.6%
48% below the median place
Homeownership1
85.3%
28% above the median place
Median year built1
1996
1% above the median place
All 16 cost and housing measures
MeasureBlaineAmong 6,645 placesVs median
Median gross rent1$1,70525% above
Rent to income119.2%6% below
Property tax rate10.9%3% above
Home price to income13.3x13% below
Prices vs US average2Metro figure104.84% above
Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms3County figure$1,7347% above
HUD area median income4County figure$131,50023% above
Property tax paid (median)1$3,3011% above
Median home value1$352,40010% above
Home prices, 1-year change5County figure2.4%24% below
Home prices, 5-year change5County figure36.0%30% below
Homeownership185.3%28% above
Renters paying 30%+145.9%9% below
Owner costs with a mortgage1$2,0087% above
Vacant homes13.6%48% below
Median year built119961% above
03

Work and pay

Works from home is 20.6%, 66% above the median place.

Works from home1
20.6%
66% above the median place
Median household income1
$106,801
33% above the median place
Poverty rate1
7.2%
33% below the median place

More on work and pay, against the typical place

Unemployment4.2% −14%
Income per person$46,842 +17%
Commutes by transit0.6% −25%
Mean commute25 min −2%
All 10 work and pay measures
MeasureBlaineAmong 6,645 placesVs median
Median household income1$106,80133% above
Income per person1$46,84217% above
Unemployment14.2%14% below
Average annual pay6County figure$67,8423% above
Pay growth, 1 year6County figure4.0%8% above
Jobs6County figure133,12812% below
Poverty rate17.2%33% below
Mean commute125 min2% below
Works from home120.6%66% above
Commutes by transit10.6%25% below
04

Who lives here

Population change since 2020 is 9.1%, above the median place (median 1.1%).

Population change since 20207
9.1%
above the median place (median 1.1%)
No health insurance1
3.6%
44% below the median place
Household size1
2.8
12% above the median place

More about who lives here, against the typical place

Homes with broadband95.3% +3%
Born abroad13.9% +58%
High school or higher94.5% +2%
Median age37.5 −4%
Bachelor's or higher36.9% +15%
All 9 people measures
MeasureBlaineAmong 6,645 placesVs median
Population172,488549th largest
Population change since 202079.1%above (median 1.1%)
Median age137.54% below
Bachelor's or higher136.9%15% above
High school or higher194.5%2% above
Household size12.812% above
Born abroad113.9%58% above
No health insurance13.6%44% below
Homes with broadband195.3%3% above
05

Life in Blaine

OpenStreetMap shows 19.2 parks per 10,000 residents, more than in 89% of the 530 places of 50,000 to 100,000 people we track.

Founded or incorporated in 1877. 18 sites are on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history on Wikipedia

Out the door, against the typical place

Parks per 10k residents19.2 +89%
Playgrounds per 10k17.9 +91%
Grocery stores per 10k2.4 +11%
Restaurants, cafes and bars per 10k9.1 −18%
Libraries per 10k0.4 −53%
Named paths and bike trails14 km 6.8×
Bus and rail stops per sq mi6.7 31.7×

Mapped by volunteers in OpenStreetMap inside the city limits (Census boundaries), so coverage is fuller in some places than others. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

National Park Service sites nearby

  • Mississippi National River and Recreation Area 23 miles
  • Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway 31 miles
  • Pipestone National Monument 173 miles

Businesses per 10,000 residents (county figures)

Restaurants and bars14.2 −32%
Shops25.4 −16%
Arts, recreation and fitness3.5 −15%
Doctors' offices and clinics15.0 −26%
Child care centers2.3 +0%

Counts businesses with paid staff, so small owner-run shops are not included.

Public school students14
10,423
113% above the median place
Nearest National Park Service site11
22.5
27% below the median place
Public schools14
14
56% above the median place
All 18 schools and local life measures
MeasureBlaineAmong 6,645 placesVs median
Public schools141456% above
Public school students1410,423113% above
Students per teacher1415.83% above
Restaurants and bars per 10k9County figure14.232% below
Shops per 10k9County figure25.416% below
Arts, recreation and fitness per 10k9County figure3.515% below
Doctors' offices and clinics per 10k9County figure15.026% below
Child care centers per 10k9County figure2.30% above
Parks per 10k1019.289% above
Playgrounds per 10k1017.991% above
Grocery stores per 10k102.411% above
Restaurants, cafes and bars per 10k109.118% below
Libraries per 10k100.453% below
Named paths and bike trails1013.7above (median 2.0)
Transit stops per sq mi106.7above (median 0.2)
Nearest National Park Service site1122.527% below
National Park Service sites within 60 miles1120% above
National Register listings12County figure1838% above
06

Safety, weather and risk

The city police department reported 67 violent offenses per 100,000 residents, fewer than in 92% of the 455 places of 50,000 to 100,000 people we track.

Violent crime per 100k
67
65% below the median place
Property crime per 100k
1,106
9% below the median place
Months reported
12 of 12
by the city police department to the FBI

Counts only offenses reported by the city police department. Sheriff, state and campus police are not included, and some departments do not report to the FBI at all, so compare with care.

January average low15
5°F
79% below the median place
Average temperature15
45°F
19% below the median place
July average high15
82°F
6% below the median place
All 10 weather and risk measures
MeasureBlaineAmong 6,645 placesVs median
July average high15County figure82°F6% below
January average low15County figure5°F79% below
Average temperature15County figure45°F19% below
Annual precipitation15County figure32.0 in27% below
Natural hazard risk16County figure88.05% below
Tornado risk16County figure87.37% above
Wildfire risk16County figure81.733% above
Heat wave risk16County figure86.14% below
Median air quality index17County figure3812% below
Good air days17County figure74.1%8% above
08

Blaine in 2030: where the trends point

If recent trends hold, the median rent will take about 19% of the median income in 2030, about the same as 19% now.

Citytistics projections to 2030: each figure's own trend, blended with the typical trend across the places we rate, eased toward long-run US growth and carried forward from the latest release. The range is where 80% of places landed when we tested the same method on past releases. On projected 2030 affordability, Blaine does better than 62% of places. Its projected home value growth beats 60%.

MeasureLatest2030 projectionLikely rangeAvg. per year
Median rent$1,705/mo (2024)$2,190/mo$1,800 to $2,670/mo+4.3%
Median household income$106,801 (2024)$135,500$114,500 to $160,000+4.0%
Median home value$352,400 (2024)$509,000$369,000 to $701,000+6.3%
Population76,603 (2025)80,64077,350 to 84,070+1.0%

The median home would be worth 3.8 years of the median income in 2030, against 3.3 now.

A projection of recent trends, not a prediction of the economy or advice to buy or sell. How we project.

09

Places like Blaine

The closest matches on income, rent, home value, education and age, and the places nearby.

PlaceRentIncome
Bolingbrook, IL$1,749$108,400Compare
Yorkville, IL$1,662$108,513Compare
Lake in the Hills, IL$1,689$117,151Compare
Niceville, FL$1,749$102,409Compare
Niceville, FLLake in the Hills, ILYorkville, ILBolingbrook, ILBlaine, MNBlaineBolingbrookYorkvilleNicevilleBlaineBolingbrookYorkvilleNiceville

Places built like Blaine

Its statistical peers: the closest matches on size, age, education, homeownership, household size, housing age, origin and remote work, in the same part of the country. Cost and outcomes are left out of the match, so the table shows how Blaine performs against places like it.

PlaceRent to incomeIncome growthPop. change
Blaine, MN19.2%4.7%/yr9.1%
Cottage Grove, MN17.7%3.4%/yr12.3%Compare
Lakeville, MN15.6%4.8%/yr14.1%Compare
Shakopee, MN17.1%4.1%/yr12.9%Compare
O'Fallon, MO15.7%4.2%/yr5.2%Compare
Apple Valley, MN21.4%1.8%/yr-2.0%Compare
Urbandale, IA12.9%4.4%/yr6.6%Compare

Common questions

Is Blaine a good place to live?

It depends on what you need, so here is what the numbers say. Its Citytistics Index is 85 out of 100, better than 85% of the places we rate and 62nd of 151 in Minnesota. Compared with the 25 places most like it in size, age, education, housing and region (such as Cottage Grove, MN, Lakeville, MN and Shakopee, MN), home value growth here is higher: 8.8% a year against a typical 7.6% a year. On cost, space and class size it scores 84 out of 100 for families. See how it ranks with your own weights.

Is Blaine expensive to live in?

The median rent takes 19.2% of the median household income, against 20.4% in the typical place we track. Housing is a lighter load here than usual. The median home is valued at $352,400.

What salary do you need to live in Blaine?

To rent the median home without spending more than 30% of income on rent, a household needs about $68,200 a year. Work it out from your current city.

Is Blaine safe?

There were 67 reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents, against 192 in the typical place.

What places are similar to Blaine?

On income, rent, home value, education and age, the closest matches are Bolingbrook, IL, Yorkville, IL, Lake in the Hills, IL and Niceville, FL.

Sources and methods

The small numbers beside each measure point here. Every dataset is public; links go to the publisher.

  1. American Community Survey 5-year estimates · US Census Bureau · 2020 to 2024 estimatesTables B01002, B01003, B05002, B07003, B08013, B08301, B15003, B17001, B19013, B19301, B23025, B25002, B25003, B25010, B25035, B25064, B25070, B25077, B25088, B25103, B28002, S2701
  2. Regional Price Parities · US Bureau of Economic Analysis · Latest release, retrieved 2026-11-14
  3. Fair Market Rents · US Department of Housing and Urban Development · Fiscal year 2027
  4. Income Limits · US Department of Housing and Urban Development · Fiscal year 2026
  5. House Price Index · Federal Housing Finance Agency · Latest release, retrieved 2026-11-14
  6. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages · US Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2025 annual averages
  7. Population Estimates · US Census Bureau · Vintage 2025
  8. SOI Tax Stats, county-to-county migration · Internal Revenue Service · Tax years 2022 to 2023Counts tax returns and the people on them; flows under 20 returns are suppressed.
  9. County Business Patterns · US Census Bureau · 2023 data
  10. OpenStreetMap · © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL) · Map data as of 2026-11
  11. National Park Service sites · Wikidata (CC0), units operated by the National Park Service · Retrieved 2026-11
  12. National Register of Historic Places · National Park Service · Listings through 2026-05-22
  13. Crime Data Explorer · Federal Bureau of Investigation · 2025 data
  14. Common Core of Data · National Center for Education Statistics · 2024 release
  15. 1991-2020 climate normals · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information · Series updated 2026-11-05Averages for 1991 to 2020 computed from NOAA's county climate series (nClimDiv).nClimDiv county series
  16. National Risk Index · Federal Emergency Management Agency · Latest release, retrieved 2026-11-14NRI data and maps
  17. Air Quality System, annual AQI by county · US Environmental Protection Agency · 2025 dataAirData download files

Derived by Citytistics from the tables above: rent to income (B25064, B19013); property tax rate (B25103, B25077); home price to income (B25077, B19013).

What stands out compares Blaine with places of a similar size, using only figures measured for Blaine itself; county and metro figures never count. Survey figures are estimates with margins of error. Formulas and definitions: methodology. API: /api/v1/places/blaine-minnesota

Citytistics. “Blaine, Minnesota.” Data as of 2026-11-14. https://www.citytistics.com/city/blaine-minnesota/

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.