Below Average CostNear National AveragePARK RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Main Avenue, Park Rapids, Minnesota · Myotus / CC BY 4.0Park Theater, Park Rapids, Minnesota-01 · Myotus / CC BY 4.0Giiwedinong Treaty Rights and Culture Museum-05 · Myotus / CC BY 4.0Steam hauler, Park Rapids, Minnesota LCCN2012647883 · Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress / Public domain
Park Rapids is a small town of 4,163 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $42,892
and a 5.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Park Rapids 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 Park Rapids is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Park Rapids 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: 94.5
Park Rapids's overall cost of living index is 94.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Park Rapids costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Park Rapids, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$222,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$691
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
45.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,892
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Park Rapids's violent crime rate is 414.0 per 100,000 residents
— 9% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
414.0 /100k
Property Crime
2115.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Park Rapids is served primarily by PARK RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Park Rapids, MN
National Avg
School District
PARK RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Park Rapids sees average highs of 18.1°F in January
and 80.2°F in July,
with 23.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 51.6 inches of snow per year.
Park Rapids's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Park Rapids roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $222,300 and median rent is $691/month.
Park Rapids's violent crime rate is 414.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2115.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Park Rapids are operated by PARK RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 1 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1. 22.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Park Rapids, MN has a population of 4,163, a median household income of $42,892, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%.
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.
Park Rapids averages 18.1°F in January and 80.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 23.9 inches
with about 51.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Park Rapids, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56470.
The population of Park Rapids, Minnesota is 4,163 with a median age of 43.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Park Rapids: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $222,300, median household income $42,892, crime index 106 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Park Rapids side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
