Buying a home in Minnesota is manageable for many families, though it takes real commitment. The typical home costs $329,300, which is about 3.7× of the typical household income of $89,062 a year. A family saving their entire income would need around 3.7 years to cover the purchase price — before mortgage interest, taxes, or upkeep.

Renters face real pressure. The typical rent in Minnesota is $1,280 a month, and 45% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing — the point at which most financial advisers say rent becomes unaffordable. That figure is 1% higher than the national average of 45%.

14.8% of Minnesota homeowners with a mortgage spend more than 30% of their income on housing — close to the national average of 16.1%.