Kensington is a small town of 226 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $45,000
and a 5.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is
12% below the national average.
Strengths:
Kensington stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Kensington is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Kensington 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: 87.5
Kensington's overall cost of living index is 87.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Kensington costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.
Metric
Kensington, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$84,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$525
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
85.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$45,000
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Kensington'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
Kensington is served primarily by WEST CENTRAL AREA.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Kensington, MN
National Avg
School District
WEST CENTRAL AREA
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
12.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
98.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Kensington sees average highs of 22.6°F in January
and 82.9°F in July,
with 26.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 46.3 inches of snow per year.
Kensington's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Kensington roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $84,200 and median rent is $525/month.
Kensington'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 Kensington are operated by WEST CENTRAL AREA.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.1:1. 12.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Kensington, MN has a population of 226, a median household income of $45,000, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
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.
Kensington averages 22.6°F in January and 82.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 26.4 inches
with about 46.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Kensington, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56343.
The population of Kensington, Minnesota is 226 with a median age of 46.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Kensington: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $84,200, median household income $45,000, 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 Kensington side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.