Rows tagged local are specific to Forest Lake (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Minneapolis, MN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district 2712270 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
104.3
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
104.5
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.93
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$91,157
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$49,292
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.52%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+5.9%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$357,500
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.9×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+2.1%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$199
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,800 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,343
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
11,577
Median days on market
17
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.1%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.10%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
9.85%
Capital gains tax
9.85%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.95%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,413
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.58% of value (~$442/yr)
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
27 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.4¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$148
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$3.15/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
47
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
8,000
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
83°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
4°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
31.6"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
51.2"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
4b
Frost window
05-20 → 09-25
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
280
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,900
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
54
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
72
Hiking areas
9
Golf courses
18
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
21
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.