What are the schools like in Owatonna, MN?

Owatonna is served primarily by OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.3:1.

What is the median household income in Owatonna?

The median household income in Owatonna, MN is $78,295 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.

What is the weather like in Owatonna, MN?

Owatonna has an average high temperature of 22.2°F in January and 81.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 44.2 inches.

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

Q: Is Owatonna, MN affordable or expensive?

Owatonna's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Owatonna is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $216,700 and the median rent is $925 per month.

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

Owatonna has a violent crime rate of 150.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 820.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Owatonna, MN a Good Place to Live?

Owatonna is a small city of 26,400 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $78,295 and a 3.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

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

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

All Owatonna 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: 96.7

Owatonna's overall cost of living index is 96.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Owatonna costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Owatonna, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$216,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$925	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	73.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$78,295	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Owatonna's violent crime rate is 150.5 per 100,000 residents — 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

150.5 /100k

Property Crime

820.4 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Owatonna is served primarily by OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Owatonna, MN	National Avg
School District	OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	3	—
High Schools	5	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	30.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Owatonna sees average highs of 22.2°F in January and 81.7°F in July, with 35.5 inches of annual precipitation and 44.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Owatonna, MN
Average High — January	22.2°F
Average High — July	81.7°F
Annual Precipitation	35.5"
Annual Snowfall	44.2"

Demographics

Metric	Owatonna, MN	National Avg
Population	26,400	—
Median Age	40.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	4.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.3%	6.3%
Under 18	24.3%	22.2%
65 and over	18.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Medford, MN 5 mi Claremont, MN 12 mi Waseca, MN 14 mi Warsaw, MN 14 mi Morristown, MN 14 mi

ZIP Codes in Owatonna

Owatonna, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

55060

Owatonna vs Other Cities

Owatonna, MN vs Medford, MN Owatonna, MN vs Claremont, MN Owatonna, MN vs Waseca, MN Owatonna, MN vs Warsaw, MN Owatonna, MN vs Morristown, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Owatonna, MN affordable or expensive?

Owatonna's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Owatonna roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $216,700 and median rent is $925/month.

What is the crime rate in Owatonna, MN?

Owatonna's violent crime rate is 150.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 820.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Owatonna?

Public schools in Owatonna are operated by OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. 30.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Owatonna, MN a good place to live?

Owatonna, MN has a population of 26,400, a median household income of $78,295, and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. 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 Owatonna?

Owatonna averages 22.2°F in January and 81.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 35.5 inches with about 44.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Owatonna?

Owatonna, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55060.

What is the population of Owatonna?

The population of Owatonna, Minnesota is 26,400 with a median age of 40.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Owatonna?

Key numbers for living in Owatonna: cost of living index 97 (100 = US average), median home $216,700, median household income $78,295, crime index 39 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Owatonna side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.