The St. Cloud area is positioned for development, both commercially and residentially. Composed of St. Cloud, St. Augusta, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park, the metropolitan area is an ideal place to live for residents from all walks of life.
Housing prices in Central Minnesota are 32 percent less expensive than in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. The St. Cloud area has it all: first-time homebuyer properties to lakeshore or riverside estates; country living to urban condominiums; and varied leasing options in apartment complexes and rental properties.
Neighborhoods in the area have a strong sense of community. Many have homeowner associations and community watch organizations helping to connect neighbors and inform them about opportunities for maintaining strong and safe neighborhoods.
Law enforcement comes from four police departments and three sheriff’s offices. The area has a violent crime rate that is below the national average.
Cost of Living
While St. Cloud has experienced tremendous growth, its cost of living remains competitive in comparison to other urban areas. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index, organized and published quarterly by the Council for Community and Economic Research, shows the St. Cloud area’s cost of living was six percent below that of the Twin Cities in 2018. Six components comprise the composite index: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.
Find Out More
- St. Cloud Neighborhood Coalition scnc.us
- St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority stcloudhra.com
- St. Cloud Area Association of Realtors stcloudrealtors.com