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Retirement community in Willmar, Minnesota

Photo by Willis Stout on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@willis_stout)

Willmar, Minnesota Retirement Guide

established retirement community
65

Retirement Score

Willmar, Minnesota at a Glance

Median Home Price
$175,000
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income have income-based partial exemptions.
Avg January Low
6.4°F
Cost of Living Index
97.5 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
65 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Willmar, 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
$59,132High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Willmar'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
$175,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$791High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
60.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

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

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$379

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$426

Median home price used: $175,000

Median rent reference: $791 / 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 Willmar, Minnesota after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
49.9 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

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

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Willmar

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 Willmar →

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
Avg January Low
Annual Precipitation
Sunny Days / Year

With 258 sunny days a year and an average January low of 6.4°F, Willmar 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)
19.7 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
7.2 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
21,006High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
36.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
18.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
6.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
20.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
72.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
11.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
23.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
1.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Willmar

Is Willmar, Minnesota a good place to retire?▾

Willmar, Minnesota is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

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

The cost-of-living index is 98, roughly 3% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $175,000.

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 Willmar, Minnesota?▾

Willmar, Minnesota has January average low around 6°F, July average high around 81°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Willmar, Minnesota?▾

Willmar scores 100/100 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).

Interested in Willmar? Talk to a Local Expert.

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