Below Average CostVery SafeAlexandria Public School District
Median Income
$68,750
household / year
Median Home Value
$163,700
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$485
gross / month
Cost of Living
90
national avg = 100
Is Garfield, MN a Good Place to Live?
Garfield is a small town of 308 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $68,750
and a 11.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Garfield 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 Garfield is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Garfield 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: 90.1
Garfield's overall cost of living index is 90.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Garfield costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Garfield, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$163,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$485
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
86.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$68,750
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Garfield's violent crime rate is 131.1 per 100,000 residents
— 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
131.1 /100k
Property Crime
694.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Garfield is served primarily by Alexandria Public School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Garfield, MN
National Avg
School District
Alexandria Public School District
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
98.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Garfield sees average highs of 19.0°F in January
and 80.2°F in July,
with 24.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 46.3 inches of snow per year.
Garfield's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Garfield roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $163,700 and median rent is $485/month.
Garfield's violent crime rate is 131.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 694.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Garfield are operated by Alexandria Public School District.
The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 15.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Garfield, MN has a population of 308, a median household income of $68,750, and an unemployment rate of 11.6%.
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.
Garfield averages 19.0°F in January and 80.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 24.1 inches
with about 46.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Garfield, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56332.
The population of Garfield, Minnesota is 308 with a median age of 43.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Garfield: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $163,700, median household income $68,750, crime index 34 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Garfield side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.