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Retirement community in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

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Fergus Falls, Minnesota Retirement Guide

62

Retirement Score

Fergus Falls, Minnesota at a Glance

Median Home Price
$165,200
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income have income-based partial exemptions.
Avg January Low
1.3°F
Cost of Living Index
97.5 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
62 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Fergus Falls, Minnesota, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
97.5 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$48,738High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Fergus Falls's cost of living is 2.5% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$165,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$755High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
64.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Fergus Falls using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$358

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$402

Median home price used: $165,200

Median rent reference: $755 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Fergus Falls, Minnesota after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
83.4 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
61.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Fergus Falls scores 83.4 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Fergus Falls

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Fergus Falls →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income have income-based partial exemptions.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Minnesota has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
80°FLow confidence
Avg January Low
1.3°FLow confidence
Annual Precipitation
25"Low confidence
Sunny Days / Year
274 daysLow confidence

With 274 sunny days a year and an average January low of 1.3°F, Fergus Falls offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
43.8 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
9.3 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
14,108High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
42.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
24.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
8.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
26.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
92.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
1.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
1.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
0.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Fergus Falls

What is the cost of living in Fergus Falls, Minnesota for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 98, roughly 3% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $165,200.

Does Minnesota tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Minnesota residents: State income tax; Social Security and retirement income have income-based partial exemptions.

What is the climate like in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?▾

Fergus Falls, Minnesota has January average low around 1°F, July average high around 80°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?▾

Fergus Falls scores 83/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

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