Just 12 miles north of downtown Minneapolis, Blaine is a wonderful suburb to reside in. It’s close to the city and provides the comforts of small-town living—but that’s not to say the city of Blaine is small. In fact, over 64,000 residents live in the area, and the population continues to increase each year. Providing a suburban feel while keeping all modern conveniences in arms’ reach—from small, locally owned businesses to recognizable chains—there is something for everyone in Blaine, Minnesota. Here’s what you can expect when you’re moving to Blaine.

Blaine Cost of Living

In Blaine, Minnesota, residents experience a cost of living index of 105.2, or 5.2% higher than the rest of the United States. While it may only be a 5% increase, the largest factor in the difference between Blaine and the national average is housing. Over 85% of residents own their homes, while less than 15% rent homes or apartments. The median home value in Blaine is $263,500; meanwhile, the average home price for a Blaine condo is closer to $300,000, and a Blaine luxury home will go for significantly more. A large majority of the homes feature at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but there are a number of houses that only have two bedrooms while others have four or more. Many homes include a fireplace, heated floorboards, and a basement.

Those who rent in Blaine pay $1,218 per month on average. A small studio apartment starts at $935, while a four-bedroom rental can have a monthly cost of $2,355. Most of the rentals in Blaine are apartments, but there are a few homes that are rented for $2,000 to $3,000 per month.

As of 2020, Blaine’s gas prices are in line with the rest of the country and come in at just under $2.00 per gallon. Compare other cost of living factors in Blaine to the rest of the state and the country below:

The average resident of Blaine can expect to have an annual salary of $33,244, whereas a larger household will average $73,496. In comparison to the rest of the United States, the average resident brings in $28,555 and the household generates $53,482 each year.

The sales tax in Blaine is very close to the United States’ average of 7.35%, while the income tax is higher. Blaine’s residents pay 7.1% in sales tax and 7.1% in income tax. The rest of the United States pays 7.1% and 4.6%, respectively.

Blaine Job Market

The city of Blaine is centrally located near major roadways, which makes it the perfect place for businesses to grow and flourish. Companies have easy access to I-35 on the east, Highway 65 in the center of town, and Highway 10 connecting the north metro to the south and west of the city. This ideal positioning has allowed Blaine to become the home to 200 industrial businesses, 11 industrial parks, and six large company headquarters, including Aveda Corporation and General Pattern.

With a large number of companies and 63,000+ residents, businesses throughout Blaine have a healthy workforce. The Aveda Corporation is best known for its hair and beauty products. The company employs nearly 800 individuals, making it the single-largest employer in the area. Infinite Campus, Cub Food, and Carley Foundry all employ between 400 and 600 residents. Ultimately, the ever-expanding region of Blaine continues to create new positions for the workforce.

Popular Industries in Blaine

Manufacturing is the largest industry in Blaine and throughout the state of Minnesota as well. Most of the largest manufacturing companies in Blaine began in the 1980s and have grown into international companies. However, these companies still keep their headquarters in Blaine.

Health is the second-largest industry in Blaine and also the fastest-growing. From pharmaceuticals to healthcare, the number of businesses opening their doors in Blaine increase annually. Residents can find a number of jobs in health at every skill level.

Things to Do in Blaine

It’s no secret that Blaine, Minnesota, can be cold in the winter. However, the summers are beautiful and encourage residents to get outside. Whatever their taste, there is something for everyone to do indoors and outside year-round (as long as they don’t mind going through some snow at times). From indoor golfing and shopping to ninja gyms, bowling, and snowboarding, people can find something they enjoy and even make friends in the process.

Outdoor Activities

Blaine is home to beautiful golf courses that keep people coming back for more. Additionally, hiking can be enjoyed throughout the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary and East Anoka County Regional Trail. The renowned National Sports Center and exciting helicopter tours are also worth experiencing.

Restaurants, Breweries, and Bars

There is no shortage of good food in Blaine. You can find a number of popular chain restaurants in addition to locally owned and family-owned businesses. Some restaurants are farm-to-table, while others are known for their homemade barbecue. You can find any number of cuisines in Blaine, ranging from American to seafood, Asian, and Latin.

There is one brewery in the heart of Blaine, which is close to two other top-rated breweries in neighboring cities. Invictus Brewing Company can easily be accessed anywhere in Blaine within 15 minutes. Torg Brewery is to the south of the city and is located in Spring Lake Park, while HammerHeart Brewing Co. is to the north in Lino Lakes.

Whatever their sport, people will be able to find a sports bar in Blaine with its game on the TV. People can also find a good selection of spirits at any restaurant bar in the area. They can even enjoy some free popcorn that is offered at nearly every bar they visit!

Nightlife

Due to the cold winters, the nightlife in Blaine is somewhat limited; most of the nightlife activities include partaking in bars around the city. However, if someone prefers sports and enjoys fireplaces, then they can hang out at Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon. Otherwise, they can take a short 20-minute drive to Minneapolis to explore a wider selection of nightlife offered in the city.

Blaine Climate

Blaine has a comfort index of 6.5 out of 10, which is average compared to the rest of Minnesota. People can expect Blaine to have nearly 55 inches of snow every year, in addition to 32 inches of rain. The rest of the United States has an average of only 38 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow.

Blaine has 194 days of sunshine and summer highs of 83 °F. Only 8 days in the entire year reach above 90 °F on average. However, the winter low can reach 4.4 °F or lower, depending on the year. Most winter seasons will see nearly 30 days when temperatures drop below 0 °F.

The most comfortable months in Blaine are June, July, and August because of the mild temperature and sunny skies. During these months, temperatures rarely exceed 75 °F or drop below 50 °F. December and January are the least comfortable months because of the low temperatures and snow.

Blaine Traffic

When driving in Blaine, drivers experience traffic in the mornings and evenings when most commuters drive to and from work. Peak traffic time is between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m. Nearly 85% of the residents drive their own vehicle, while 8% carpool. The average commute is anywhere from 26 to 32 minutes, which is similar to the United States’ average commute time. It is important to note that Blaine is home to a number of stoplights on every road, which can slow down morning commutes.

During the winter, the city of Blaine monitors all roadways for snow and ice in order to prevent as many traffic delays and accidents as possible. Most of Blaine’s residents have been driving up north their entire lives, so they are usually familiar with how to handle the roadways. However, those who have never driven in these winter conditions may consider taking mass transit until they are comfortable driving in the snow.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get to Minneapolis and St. Paul quickly from Blaine, as both of these cities can usually be reached within 20 minutes.

Those who want to take a weekend getaway can reach Chicago by car in six hours, while Kansas City is accessible in just seven hours. Those who want to explore the history of the Upper Peninsula of Wisconsin can reach the western-most point in six hours or the eastern-most point in nine hours. Finally, Denver is approximately 14 hours away.

Alternative Routes

Few alternative routes exist in the heart of Blaine. With over 350+ cul-de-sacs in the city, many roads leading into neighborhoods do not have an exit. While some side roads are available, some lights and traffic in the city are unavoidable.

When I-35E or W is experiencing traffic, it is possible to take Highway 65 to avoid the congestion. This can be especially helpful when driving towards Minneapolis. However, those who are heading to St. Paul can use Highway 610 in place of U-694 and I-94.

Public Transportation in Blaine

Those who prefer to take public transportation have two options for commuting in the heart of Blaine and into Minneapolis. Both options are operated by Metro Transit, which makes payments simple.

The Metro Transit bus system offers a number of fixed routes throughout Blaine and the metro area. Rates are dependent on what time the ride is taken. For example, rush-hour times can increase the fee by $0.50 to $1.50 on the final destination. During non-rush-hour times, one-way rides are only $2.00. Children and senior citizens receive a reduced rate, regardless of what time they board. Those who are only riding in downtown pay $0.50, regardless of what time of day it is. All-day passes are available online for $5 during the week and $4 during the weekend.

Residents who need to commute into Minneapolis for work can take advantage of the Northstar Commuter Rail, which offers wider trains allowing for more space. Additionally, the trains offer work tables, bike storage, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi. People can access the train by riding their bike or parking in Coon Rapids, which is less than 10 minutes away. The Northstar Commuter Rail is a great option for anyone who needs to get some work done on the way to the office.

Schools in Blaine

There are several different options for schools in Blaine when thinking about where to enroll your students. Blaine is zoned by two popular school districts, and parents can request for their children to attend schools in either of these districts. However, the districts do not provide guaranteed bus transportation, which means parents may need to drive their children to the schools they have requested.

The Anoka-Hennepin Public School District offers preschool through 12th grade between 51 schools. Many of the schools offer AP, IB, and gifted programs. 

Only seven minutes south of Blaine, Spring Lake Park Public School District is smaller with only 12 schools. It offers preschool through 12th grade for its 6,000+students, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 18 to 1.

Ready to Move to Blaine?

Blaine, Minnesota, is a growing suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul. With proximity to these cities, residents are never far from the action. With a variety of delicious restaurants, a growing job market, top-rated school districts, and cold, snowy winters, Blaine is a wonderful place to call home.

If you\'d like to learn more about homes in Blaine, contact Kris Lindahl Real Estate at 1-(855) 967-7653 to get in touch with a local real estate agent and discover your ideal home in Blaine today.