Below Average CostVery SafeDEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Commercial on Great River Rd, Deer River, Minnesota · Myotus / CC BY 4.0City Hall, Deer River, Minnesota · Myotus / CC BY 4.0Deer River High School, Deer River, Minnesota-01 · Myotus / CC BY 4.0Post office, Deer River, Minnesota · Myotus / CC BY 4.0
Deer River is a small town of 908 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $37,813
and a 2.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Deer River stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Deer River is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Deer River 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: 90.0
Deer River's overall cost of living index is 90.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Deer River costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Deer River, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$98,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$656
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$37,813
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Deer River's violent crime rate is 110.7 per 100,000 residents
— 71% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
110.7 /100k
Property Crime
1218.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Deer River is served primarily by DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Deer River, MN
National Avg
School District
DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Deer River sees average highs of 17.8°F in January
and 78.3°F in July,
with 27.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 31.7 inches of snow per year.
Deer River's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Deer River roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $98,600 and median rent is $656/month.
Deer River's violent crime rate is 110.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1218.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Deer River are operated by DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.6:1. 18.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Deer River, MN has a population of 908, a median household income of $37,813, and an unemployment rate of 2.6%.
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.
Deer River averages 17.8°F in January and 78.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 27.7 inches
with about 31.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Deer River, Minnesota is 908 with a median age of 39.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Deer River: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $98,600, median household income $37,813, crime index 41 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Deer River side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
