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MarketsMinnesotaWinonaCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Winona, MN

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Winona, MN

Cap Rate
3.15%
Median Price
$275K
Rent/Mo
$1,220
1% Rule
0.44%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Winona's price-to-income ratio is 4.5x — homes cost 4.5 times the local median household income of $60,800. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Winona (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,829/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $2,177. The median rent of $1,220/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Winona is $60,800, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% per year. Winona is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Winona is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Winona Compares

Winona vs Minnesota state average and national average across key investment metrics. Winona's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Winona
Minnesota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.15%
3.12%
3.81%
Median Price
$275K
$310K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,220
$1,353
$1,524
Property Tax
1.12%
1.12%
1.08%
Vacancy
4.8%
4.8%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.5%/yr
0.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Winona, MN
3.1%
$275K
$1,220
1.12%
Lafayette, IN
4.1%
$275K
$1,390
0.85%
Mount Vernon, OH
2.8%
$275K
$1,270
1.58%
Warrensburg, MO
2.3%
$275K
$1,060
1.25%
Warsaw, IN
2.9%
$275K
$1,110
0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winona affordable for renters?
Renters in Winona spend approximately 24% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $60,800, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Winona?
Winona's price-to-income ratio is 4.5x, meaning homes cost 4.5 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Winona?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $275K home is approximately $1,463/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,811/mo. The median rent of $1,220/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Winona's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Winona ($275K) are 18% below the national average. Rents ($1,220/mo) are 20% below average. Property taxes (1.12%) are above the 1.08% national average.
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Explore Winona & Related Markets

More Winona Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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