Relocation Guide

Home » LIVING HERE » Relocation Guide

Relocating to Greater Mankato may have been carefully thought out over the years or the idea may have stemmed from a lovely visit to the area.

Whatever the reason, you will find all the services you would expect from a major metro area and the charm you can only get from a close-knit community. Being ideally located in the scenic Minnesota River Valley and less than two hours from Minneapolis – St. Paul, Greater Mankato offers abundant activities, exceptional education, low cost of living, superior health care, and many opportunities for an outstanding quality of life.

Housing & Rentals

The first thing people look for when moving to a new city is housing, but housing is more than just walls and a roof, what housing really means – is home. Whether you’re looking for classic architecture in a historic neighborhood, a modern home in a newly developed, tight-knit community, or you’re looking to be in the center of it all with a downtown apartment, Greater Mankato has a large variety of living options for individuals and families with amenities that suit all stages.

With five different colleges in a 15-mile radius, there are several off-campus housing communities with a range of rental costs.

No matter what size home you’re looking for, or whether you’re in a position to rent or buy, you’ll be able to find just what you need to make Greater Mankato your home.

The Realtor Association of Southern Minnesota compiles a robust report for a  10 county area in southern Minnesota.  Information is also broken down into market sub-regions.

The reports contain market information on:

New listings
Closed sales
Dollar volume of closed sales
Average sales price
Median sales price
Percent of original list price received at sale

Housing Organizations

Blue Earth County Housing Programs

The Mankato and Blue Earth County Economic Development Authorities (EDA) provide two housing assistance programs.

CADA

CADA’s shelter is an inclusive, family-friendly, and survivor-centered space for women and children seeking safety from relationship abuse or sexual violence. Their shelter is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and can house about 22 people at a time. On average, people stay in shelter for 2 or 3 months – some people need less time, and some people need more time.

Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) 

MVAC provides multiple housing programs in many communities including rental assistance in Faribault and Le Sueur Counties.

Partners for Housing

The organization owns and operates a number of site housing facilities that provide different housing options. In addition to our emergency shelters, Theresa House, Union Street Place and Welcome Inn, we provide transitional and permanent affordable housing options to homeless and/or at-risk individuals and families in the Mankato area.

South Central Minnesota Multi-County HRA (SCMMCHRA) 

SCMMCHRA has programs and projects in Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties and communities, including rental assistance, home ownership assistance, and public housing.

Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) 

SWMHP has multiple programs and projects in many communities.

Cost of Living

In Greater Mankato you can have more… the Cost of Living is 6% below the national average. Use the calculator below to compare the cost of living to numerous areas in the United States to that of Greater Mankato.

About the Cost of Living Index
C2ER produces the Cost of Living Index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure to compare cost of living differences among urban areas. Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures. Weights assigned to relative costs are based on government survey data on expenditure patterns for mid-management households. All items are priced in each place at a specified time and according to standardized specifications. For more information on the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, please visit the website at www.coli.org.

Interpreting the Index
The Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100, and each participant’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. When reviewing comparable salaries, the Cost of Living Index calculates what salary you would need to make in Mankato to have the same purchasing power as you would in your origin community. If the comparable salary in Mankato is lower, you would need to make less in Mankato to maintain the same lifestyle. If the comparable salary in Mankato is higher, you would need to earn more in Mankato than in your origin community to maintain your lifestyle.

Places of Worship

Greater Mankato is a diverse community with residents from many different cultures & religions. You’ll find a community that suits your needs for prayer & worship.

Explore the multiple faith options available in the Greater Mankato community.

Volunteering

Finding like-minded people and purpose matters so much to your quality of life. What better way to do it than by giving back? If you’re looking to engage with the community through volunteering, there are abundant opportunities to find a cause that matters to you.

The Mankato Area Foundation maintains a database of nonprofits throughout the region that can be utilized to find an organization that aligns with your passions.

The Mankato Area United Way maintains a database of volunteer needs for multiple nonprofits within the community through their Get Connected Portal.

Learn more about the many opportunities to get involved with the Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. organization.

Childcare

Greater Mankato is full of innovative childcare models from home care to culturally appropriate care for the East African community (or those seeking to share the East African culture with their children), to community run childcare, learning centers, and providers who meld childcare with memory care to create a positive environment for both children and elders.