Houston is a small town of 892 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $45,417
and a 8.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Houston stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Houston is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Houston 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
Houston's overall cost of living index is 91.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Houston costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Houston, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$132,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$792
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$45,417
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Houston's violent crime rate is 48.4 per 100,000 residents
— 87% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
48.4 /100k
Property Crime
284.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Houston is served primarily by HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Houston, MN
National Avg
School District
HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Houston sees average highs of 24.4°F in January
and 81.2°F in July,
with 37.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 44.8 inches of snow per year.
Houston's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Houston roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $132,600 and median rent is $792/month.
Houston's violent crime rate is 48.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 284.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Houston are operated by HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 14.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Houston, MN has a population of 892, a median household income of $45,417, and an unemployment rate of 8.1%.
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.
Houston averages 24.4°F in January and 81.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.2 inches
with about 44.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Houston, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55943.
The population of Houston, Minnesota is 892 with a median age of 40.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Houston: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $132,600, median household income $45,417, crime index 13 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Houston side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
