Why the numbers disagree
They measure different things. Listing sites average what landlords are asking right now, and the Census reports what households were paying, spread over five years. Neither is wrong. For a move this year, the listing figures are closer to what you’ll be quoted.
| Source | Figure | What it measures | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment List (opens in a new tab) | $1,141 | Median rent for all units. Starts from Census medians and moves them forward with growth seen in its own listings. | October 2026 report |
| Zumper (opens in a new tab) | $997 | Average asking rent of listings on its site right now. Moves fast as listings come and go. | Updated Oct 8, 2026 |
| U.S. Census, via USAFacts (opens in a new tab) | $1,042 | Median rent households in the St. Cloud metro actually paid, averaged over five years of surveys. Steady, but behind today’s asking rents. | 2020–2024 |
| Rentometer (opens in a new tab) | no overall figure | Rent by bedroom count from recent listings. | Data as of Oct 8, 2026 |
Rent by bedroom size
The two listing trackers agree on 3 bedrooms, about $1,600, and disagree on the smaller sizes. That usually means few listings in a size that month, so treat any single bedroom figure as a rough guide. Zumper’s 3-bedroom average fell 5% in the 30 days before October 8 and is 46% higher than a year ago. Source: Zumper, St. Cloud rent research (opens in a new tab) (updated Oct 8, 2026)
| Size | Zumperupdated Oct 8, 2026 | Rentometeras of Oct 8, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,025 | $991 |
| 1 bedroom | $797 | $935 |
| 2 bedrooms | $950 | $1,260 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,590 | $1,608 |
| 4 bedroomsRentometer: 4 or more | $1,400 | $1,832 |
Sources: Zumper, St. Cloud rent research (opens in a new tab); Rentometer, Average rent in St. Cloud, MN (opens in a new tab). Both average recent listings.
How much of a paycheck rent takes
A bit over a quarter. Census figures for 2020–2024 put the typical St. Cloud-area renter household’s income at $3,668 a month, with 28.4% of it going to rent. That ranks 4th of Minnesota’s 8 metro areas. Source: USAFacts (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024) (opens in a new tab) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
How lot rent in Watkins compares
Lot rent at Watkins MHC is $400 a month as of September 2026, and it pays for the ground, not the home. You own the home, either one you bring or one you buy to place here, so the fair comparison is $400 plus what the home costs you each month, set against a St. Cloud rent. Source: Watkins MHC current lot rent (Sept 2026)
- In the $400
- Your lot, your spot on the street and the community’s shared rules.
- Separate
- Your home payment, if you finance the home. Home insurance. Your utilities. Upkeep on the home. The home’s own property tax, which Meeker County bills on a statement mailed by July 15. Source: Meeker County, Mobile Homes (opens in a new tab) (accessed Oct 2026)
The home payment is the big unknown, and it depends on the home, the lender and you, so we don’t put a number on it. To add up your own month with your own quotes, use the monthly cost calculator on the lots page. Two more things change the math: lot rent can rise only with at least 60 days’ written notice, no more than twice a year Source: Minn. Stat. 327C.06 (opens in a new tab) (accessed Oct 2026), and Minnesota homeowners who pay lot rent may qualify for the Homestead Credit Refund (our guide to the refund). Source: MN Department of Revenue, Homestead Credit Refund (opens in a new tab) (accessed Sept 2026)
What the drive adds
About 27 miles each way, or 30 to 40 minutes by car to St. Cloud Hospital and downtown. Source: Route estimates (OSRM, Travelmath) (Sept 2026) If you work in St. Cloud, put your own fuel and time next to the rent difference. The lots page has the drive table to Kimball, Eden Valley, Cold Spring and the rest, on a map drawn from real road data.
This guide reports published rent figures on the dates shown. Rents change monthly; check each source for the latest. It isn’t financial advice, and it doesn’t estimate a home loan payment.
Quick answers
What is the average rent in St. Cloud, MN?
The median rent in St. Cloud is $1,141 a month, according to Apartment List’s October 2026 report. Zumper’s average of current listings is $997 (October 2026), and the Census median for the St. Cloud metro over 2020–2024 is $1,042.
How much is a 3-bedroom rental in St. Cloud?
About $1,600 a month. Zumper’s 3-bedroom average is $1,590 (updated Oct 8, 2026) and Rentometer’s is $1,608 (data as of Oct 8, 2026).
Is lot rent the same as rent?
No. Lot rent pays for the ground under a home you own. At Watkins MHC it’s $400 a month as of September 2026, and your home payment, insurance, utilities and upkeep are separate. Apartment rent covers the home itself.
How far is Watkins from St. Cloud?
About 27 miles, or 30 to 40 minutes by car to St. Cloud Hospital and downtown. The lots page has the full drive table and map.
Does Watkins MHC rent out homes?
No. Every home here is owned by the household that lives in it. The park rents the lot. You bring a home you own or buy one to place here.
Where this fits at Watkins MHC
Watkins MHC rents manufactured home lots in Watkins, Minnesota. See what renting a lot here includes and costs, how getting a home here works, or the town and the lakes nearby. To weigh other parks, see mobile home parks near St. Cloud, compared.