Compared to the national average rent of $1,741, the average rent in Forest Lake, MN is $1,538.
Average rent in Forest Lake, MN
$1,538/mo
Forest Lake, MN average rental price, January 2026
The average monthly rent of apartments in Forest Lake, MN is $1,538.
What's the typical rent budget in Forest Lake, MN?
About 35% of apartment rents in Forest Lake, MN range between $1,501-$2,000.
Meanwhile, apartments around $2,001-$2,500 represent 5% of apartments.
Around 59% of Forest Lake’s apartments are in the $1,001-$1,500 price range. 1% of apartments are priced
≤ $1000.
A share of 1% of apartment rentals in Forest Lake are in the $2,501-$3,000 range.
The largest share of rentals in Forest Lake, MN (59%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
What is the price range for a studio apartment in Forest Lake, MN?
The price range for a studio apartment in Forest Lake, MN is between $901 and $1,210.
What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Forest Lake, MN?
The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Forest Lake, MN is between $1,039 and $2,039.
What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Forest Lake, MN?
The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Forest Lake, MN is between $1,195 and $2,160.
What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Forest Lake, MN?
The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Forest Lake, MN is between $1,067 and $2,550.
What type of rental buildings are in Forest Lake, MN?
In Forest Lake, 28% of the residents are renting compared to 72% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 25% of Forest Lake's rentals, 67% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 8% are single-family rentals.
What do typical apartment communities look like in Forest Lake, MN?
The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city. In this case, the apartment buildings in Forest Lake are about 31 years old, on average. Of these, 38% have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 3 stories. About all of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, none are mid-rises, and none are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.
What apartment floorplans are common in Forest Lake, MN?
Rental apartments in Forest Lake come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 3% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 37% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 49% of all rentals in Forest Lake. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.
Renter's guide to Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake is a nice mid-sized city that that's located in the northeast suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota. Known for its scenery and hospitality, it's a great place for people of all kinds to call home. In addition to the beautiful lakes, residents enjoy the small-town feel and all of the family-friendly amenities.
Situated within Washington County, the city covers a total of 36 sq. miles. However, approximately 31 sq. miles is land and the other 5 sq. miles is the large lake that the city is named after. In fact, it is one of the five biggest lakes in the entire state. A few of the nearby communities near Forest Lake include Columbus and Wyoming. Plus, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis /St. Paul are around 30 minutes away by car.
The weather in Forest Lake varies a lot throughout the year with temps ranging from 8°F to 82°F. While the summers are usually long and warm, the barometer rarely reaches 90°F. On the other hand, the winters are typically cold and windy with a good amount of snowfall, and average daily temperatures around 30°F.
Tips for renting in Forest Lake, MN
There are a variety of options for rentals in Forest Lake, from small studio units to big houses. That's why it's advisable to know precisely what you're looking for prior to proceeding, which will help narrow down the search. Also, when viewing rentals in Forest Lake, don't simply rely on virtual tours and pictures. Though cool and convenient, they sometimes fail to provide a full view of the unit, property, and overall condition.
Additionally, before renting in Forest Lake or anyplace else across the country, it's a good idea to learn about your rights as a renter prior to committing and/or signing any lease. Landlord and tenant laws can often vary from state-to-state. Therefore, after reviewing the 'rules and regulations' in this region, you'll be more prepared to rent in Forest Lake!
Living in Forest Lake, MN
Though the City of Forest Lake covers a good amount of area, the population here is modestly sized, so it isn't overcrowded. It's also a clean and safe place where the streets and public areas are well maintained and regularly patrolled. In addition to basically everything being accessible within the city, the Twin City metropolitan area is only 30 miles away and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport isn't too far either, taking around 40 minutes by car.
If there are any cons to be considered when living in Forest Lake, one could be the potentially harsh weather during winter. Not only can it get quite cold and snowy in this region, the season seems to last a little longer than other locations around the country. Another might be the cost of living, as housing, sales & income tax are higher than the national average.
Things to do in Forest Lake, MN
There are lots of things to do in Forest Lake, MN no matter what the season. Of course, with Minnesota being the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it's an ideal place for water activities like boating and fishing. During the spring and summer many residents spend time at the lake, whether enjoying recreation on the water or relaxing along the shoreline. Of course you'll also find 'regular' recreation here as well such as shopping, restaurants, movie theatres, and more…
There are also many parks in Forest Lake and a few of them are Cedar, Lakeside, and Summerfield. In fact, the city maintains a total of 23 parks and 18 open spaces. Plus there are 14 playgrounds and 13 ball fields within the community. Then for adult entertainment, the Running Aces Casino and Racetrack is open year round with horse races held during the summertime.
Forest Lake, MN employment & economy
Even though this is a smaller sized city, there are a variety of job opportunities in Forest Lake. In fact, the economy employs almost 11k people. Among the biggest industries here are Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance and Manufacturing. And a few of the bigger employers within the city are the Department of Education and Wal-Mart.
Some of the most common jobs in Forest Lake for residents are Office & Administrative Support Positions along with Sales & Management Occupations. Also, among the highest paying industries in the region are Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, Agriculture, Mining, and Utilities. Furthermore, additional opportunities can be found in surrounding suburbs or the Twin Cities.
Education in Forest Lake, MN
There is a total of 10 public schools in Forest Lake that provide education for grades Kindergarten through 12. They include 7 elementary, 1 middle, 1 standard high school, and 1 alternative high school called Forest Lake Area Community School. There are also private schools in Forest Lake including St. Peter Catholic School and a Montessori Academy.
Furthermore, there are several colleges near Forest Lake. In fact, we have almost 40 adult education institutions within 30 miles of the city. The closest college is Minnesota School of Business Blaine, which is approximately 11 miles away from Forest Lake center. There are also 7 community colleges and trade schools within 25 miles of Forest Lake. The closest being Century Community and Technical College, which is around 14 miles from Forest Lake city center.
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RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Forest Lake, MN. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Forest Lake, MN, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you're interested in. Browse Forest Lake, MN apartments with rents starting from $901 and submit your rental application today!
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