Melrose is a small town of 3,606 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $54,951
and a 2.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Melrose stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Melrose is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Melrose 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: 89.3
Melrose's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Melrose costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Melrose, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$183,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$985
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$54,951
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Melrose's violent crime rate is 110.7 per 100,000 residents
— 71% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
110.7 /100k
Property Crime
193.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Melrose is served primarily by WEST CENTRAL EDUCATION DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Melrose, MN
National Avg
School District
WEST CENTRAL EDUCATION DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Melrose sees average highs of 19.5°F in January
and 80.9°F in July,
with 29.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 39.0 inches of snow per year.
Melrose's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Melrose roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $183,400 and median rent is $985/month.
Melrose's violent crime rate is 110.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 193.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Melrose are operated by WEST CENTRAL EDUCATION DISTRICT.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.0:1. 18.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Melrose, MN has a population of 3,606, a median household income of $54,951, and an unemployment rate of 2.3%.
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.
Melrose averages 19.5°F in January and 80.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 29.1 inches
with about 39.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Melrose, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56352.
The population of Melrose, Minnesota is 3,606 with a median age of 45.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Melrose: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $183,400, median household income $54,951, crime index 21 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Melrose side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
