MHP’s Congressional District Profiles break down housing affordability, homeownership gaps, and cost burdens across Minnesota’s eight congressional districts. The Congressional District Profiles are part of MHP’s series of reports on housing data and affordability metrics, including the 2025 State Housing Profile and Legislative District Profiles. The report provides a rare, congressional district-level view of the housing challenges Minnesotans face — underscoring that no region is untouched by rising housing costs and persistent disparities in homeownership.
“This report paints a clear picture of a statewide reality: far too many Minnesotans—whether renting or owning—are struggling with housing costs. What’s striking is how these challenges show up in every congressional district, even as local conditions differ. In-demand jobs in many communities don’t pay enough to afford a home, and the result is a growing burden on the very people we rely on most. We hope this district-level data helps leaders craft solutions that meet the unique needs of their constituents.” -Anne Mavity, MHP Executive Director
In all districts, the salary needed to afford a median-value home far outpaces what homeowners actually earn, with Districts 5, 7, and 1 (respectively) containing the largest gaps. And, in three districts, rent far outpaces what the median earning renter can afford (Districts 6, 7 and 1, respectively).
Key findings include:
District 1 has the highest percentage of severely cost-burdened renter households in the state, with 27% spending more than half their income on rent.
District 2 stands out as the only district where the typical renter earns more than needed to afford the median rent—by about $2,500 annually.
District 3 reports the highest median rent and home value (and highest income among renters and owners in the state), and over half of renter households (51%) are cost burdened.
District 4 data shows most housing indicators falling near the statewide averages, including that high demand jobs, with the singular exception of registered nurses, don’t cover the cost of rent or a median priced home.
District 5 has the highest share of renters (47%) and the lowest rate of cost-burdened renter households. This district has the highest percentage of cost-burdened senior homeowners (33%).
District 6 reveals deep struggles for seniors, with 73% of older renter households cost-burdened—the highest rate statewide. This district also has the largest gap between median renter income and the salary needed to afford median rent—renter households would need to earn an additional $3,355 annually to afford median rent. It also has the smallest racial homeownership gap.
District 7 homeowners and renters do not earn enough to afford a median-value home or median-rent apartment, with the gap between median income and housing costs the second largest in the state for both homeowners and renters. The district has the largest racial homeownership gap, and the lowest rate of cost burden among seniors.
District 8 faces the highest owner cost burden, with 22% of homeowners spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs; additionally, District 8 has the highest proportion of homeowners who have “low income,” with 15% of homeowners earning under $35,000 annually.
Across all districts, the data reveals a common thread: the cost of housing is outpacing incomes, particularly for renters and seniors, and long-standing racial inequities in homeownership persist.
