Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Stillwater, Minnesota

An aerial view of the historic downtown area of Stillwater, Minnesota, as viewed from over the St. Croix River.
Photo by August Schwerdfeger via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Stillwater cost of living

A river-city budget where housing, taxes, transport, winter care, and visitor parking compete for room

The catalog estimates $3,273 per month for a local lifestyle, $4,662 for a couple, $4,647 for a traveler, and $3,161 for an expat proxy. One bedroom rent is $1,229 and two bedroom rent is $1,340. Groceries are $472, utilities are $233, transportation is $1,077, healthcare is $495, and internet is 382.91 Mbps. Add snow removal, heating, cooling, insurance, parking, home maintenance, pharmacy travel, recreation, family visits, and river or storm supplies to the household budget.

The prepared property fields show Moderate taxes, a 0.97 percent effective rate, median real estate taxes of $4,026, and a median home value of $414,200. Compare rent or purchase cost with insurance, parcel taxes, HOA fees, basement or sump needs, drainage, roof work, snow service, parking, heating history, and visitor-season prices. A moderate tax label does not make every historic or river-adjacent address equally affordable.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $3,273 gives you the starting point, with housing taking the largest share.

Housing
$1,229
Utilities (in rent)
$233
Food
$472/mo
Transportation
$1,077/mo
Healthcare
$495

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$4,647

Moderate

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,662

Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$1,229

Very Good

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$224/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Moderate

Fair

Overall Feel
Moderate
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
5.5%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
14.2%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
31.1%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$80,408

Could Stillwater fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$3,273 per month
Two people
$4,662 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$1,229
Food
$472
Transportation
$1,077
Healthcare
$495

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Stillwater in everyday life

Could Stillwater work for you?

What may work well

  • Strong internet, nearby hospital care, library life, parks, trails, and airport-connected visitor access support a full household beyond tourism.
  • The prepared tax fields are Moderate, which may be manageable when paired with a home that avoids excessive stairs, drainage work, or parking costs.

What to think about

  • The median home value is $414,200 and median real estate taxes are $4,026 before insurance, heating, snow, parking, and maintenance.
  • Required car use adds fuel, tires, service, winter travel, snow removal, and medical trip costs.
  • Historic upkeep, river or basement exposure, visitor parking, event traffic, and family travel can move the real budget above the monthly estimate.

Set a Stillwater budget around the exact home and season

  1. Collect household quotes

    Get rent or purchase cost, taxes, insurance, heating, cooling, internet, snow removal, parking, HOA fees, groceries, transportation, pharmacy, medical, recreation, family travel, and home maintenance figures.

  2. Price winter and river access

    Ask what snow clearing, tires, driveway slope, basement or sump work, roof care, heating, drainage, parking, power backup, and storm delays cost. Visit after rain or snow or review service records.

  3. Compare three budgets

    Price a central historic home, a flatter residential home, and an outer alternative. Include medical routes, visitor-season parking, river or drainage exposure, winter services, family travel, and a reserve for repairs.

Questions retirees ask

How much does it cost to retire in Stillwater?

The catalog estimates $3,273 monthly for a local lifestyle and $4,662 for a couple. One bedroom rent is $1,229, groceries are $472, transportation is $1,077, healthcare is $495, and internet is 382.91 Mbps. Add heating, cooling, snow, insurance, parking, care, and maintenance.

Are Stillwater property taxes high?

The prepared fields label property taxes Moderate, with a 0.97 percent effective rate, median real estate taxes of $4,026, and a median home value of $414,200. Confirm the parcel's taxes, insurance, drainage, and maintenance before deciding.

What extra costs should I plan for?

Price heating, cooling, snow removal, winter tires, vehicle maintenance, parking, insurance, basement or sump work, drainage, medical travel, pharmacy, recreation, family visits, historic repairs, and a repair reserve.

Stillwater can work financially for a retiree who budgets for a moderate-tax river city, required transport, four-season services, housing upkeep, care, and visitor or event costs. The exact home's stairs, drainage, parking, and winter access matter more than the tax label alone.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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