Below Average CostSafer than AverageFergus Falls Public School District
HotelKaddatzFergusFallsMN · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainHillcrest Lutheran Academy · Gaylan K. Mathiesen / CC BY-SA 3.02022 Fergus Pride Picnic, Fergus Falls, MN-01 · Myotus / CC BY-SA 4.0
Fergus Falls is a small city of 14,108 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $48,738
and a 6.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Fergus Falls stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fergus Falls is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Fergus Falls 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: 93.7
Fergus Falls's overall cost of living index is 93.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Fergus Falls costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Fergus Falls, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$165,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$755
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
64.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,738
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Fergus Falls's violent crime rate is 203.6 per 100,000 residents
— 46% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
203.6 /100k
Property Crime
2365.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Fergus Falls is served primarily by Fergus Falls Public School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Fergus Falls, MN
National Avg
School District
Fergus Falls Public School District
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
26.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Fergus Falls sees average highs of 18.4°F in January
and 80.8°F in July,
with 26.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 49.6 inches of snow per year.
Fergus Falls's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Fergus Falls roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $165,200 and median rent is $755/month.
Fergus Falls's violent crime rate is 203.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2365.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Fergus Falls are operated by Fergus Falls Public School District.
The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1. 26.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Fergus Falls, MN has a population of 14,108, a median household income of $48,738, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%.
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.
Fergus Falls averages 18.4°F in January and 80.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 26.9 inches
with about 49.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Fergus Falls, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56537.
The population of Fergus Falls, Minnesota is 14,108 with a median age of 42.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Fergus Falls: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $165,200, median household income $48,738, crime index 77 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fergus Falls side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
