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Brainerd, Minnesota Retirement Guide
established retirement community
61
Retirement Score
Brainerd, Minnesota at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $162,800
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income have income-based partial exemptions.
- Avg January Low
- 6.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 97.5 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 61 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
97.5 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$162,800High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$799High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income have income-based partial exemptions.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
81.6 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
54.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
81.6 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
81.3°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Avg January Low
6.4°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Annual Precipitation
32"High confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Sunny Days / Year
258 daysHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
29.8 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.6 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
14,412High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
36.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
17.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$46,933High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
55.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
7.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
18.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
19.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
92.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
1.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
3.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
0.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Brainerd using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$353
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$396
Median home price used: $162,800
Median rent reference: $799 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.