Buffalo Lake is a small town of 568 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $51,597
and a 6.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Buffalo Lake stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Buffalo Lake is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Buffalo Lake city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 91.3
Buffalo Lake's overall cost of living index is 91.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Buffalo Lake costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Buffalo Lake, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$102,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$746
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
71.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$51,597
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Buffalo Lake's violent crime rate is 116.9 per 100,000 residents
— 69% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
116.9 /100k
Property Crime
859.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Buffalo Lake is served primarily by Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Buffalo Lake, MN
National Avg
School District
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
89.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Buffalo Lake sees average highs of 21.2°F in January
and 80.9°F in July,
with 31.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 50.0 inches of snow per year.
Buffalo Lake's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Buffalo Lake roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $102,500 and median rent is $746/month.
Buffalo Lake's violent crime rate is 116.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 859.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Buffalo Lake are operated by Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 19.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Buffalo Lake, MN has a population of 568, a median household income of $51,597, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Buffalo Lake averages 21.2°F in January and 80.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 31.3 inches
with about 50.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Buffalo Lake, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55314.
The population of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota is 568 with a median age of 53.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Buffalo Lake: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $102,500, median household income $51,597, crime index 35 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Buffalo Lake side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
