What are the schools like in Lancaster, MN?

Lancaster is served primarily by LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9:1.

What is the median household income in Lancaster?

The median household income in Lancaster, MN is $58,750 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.2%.

What is the weather like in Lancaster, MN?

Lancaster has an average high temperature of 13.1°F in January and 79.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 22.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 43.6 inches.

Lancaster, MN Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Lancaster, MN affordable or expensive?

Lancaster's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Lancaster is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $112,500 and the median rent is $706 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Lancaster, MN?

Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 46.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 232.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Lancaster, MN a Good Place to Live?

Lancaster is a small town of 353 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $58,750 and a 1.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Lancaster stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Lancaster is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Lancaster 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

Lancaster's overall cost of living index is 91.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Lancaster costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Lancaster, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$112,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$706	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	71.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$58,750	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Lancaster's violent crime rate is 46.5 per 100,000 residents — 88% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

46.5 /100k

Property Crime

232.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Lancaster is served primarily by LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Lancaster, MN	National Avg
School District	LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	22.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Lancaster sees average highs of 13.1°F in January and 79.4°F in July, with 22.3 inches of annual precipitation and 43.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Lancaster, MN
Average High — January	13.1°F
Average High — July	79.4°F
Annual Precipitation	22.3"
Annual Snowfall	43.6"

Demographics

Metric	Lancaster, MN	National Avg
Population	353	—
Median Age	42.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.6%	18.9%
Asian	1.7%	6.3%
Under 18	26.6%	22.2%
65 and over	19.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Hallock, MN 9 mi Lake Bronson, MN 11 mi Humboldt, MN 14 mi Kennedy, MN 16 mi Halma, MN 17 mi

ZIP Codes in Lancaster

Lancaster, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

56735

Lancaster vs Other Cities

Lancaster, MN vs Hallock, MN Lancaster, MN vs Lake Bronson, MN Lancaster, MN vs Humboldt, MN Lancaster, MN vs Kennedy, MN Lancaster, MN vs Halma, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lancaster, MN affordable or expensive?

Lancaster's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Lancaster roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $112,500 and median rent is $706/month.

What is the crime rate in Lancaster, MN?

Lancaster's violent crime rate is 46.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 232.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Lancaster?

Public schools in Lancaster are operated by LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1. 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Lancaster, MN a good place to live?

Lancaster, MN has a population of 353, a median household income of $58,750, and an unemployment rate of 1.2%. 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.

What is the weather like in Lancaster?

Lancaster averages 13.1°F in January and 79.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 22.3 inches with about 43.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Lancaster?

Lancaster, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56735.

What is the population of Lancaster?

The population of Lancaster, Minnesota is 353 with a median age of 42.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Lancaster?

Key numbers for living in Lancaster: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $112,500, median household income $58,750, crime index 12 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lancaster side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.