Paynesville is a small town of 2,432 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $67,768
and a 3.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Paynesville 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 Paynesville is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Paynesville 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
Paynesville's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Paynesville costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Paynesville, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$160,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$694
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
71.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$67,768
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Paynesville's violent crime rate is 152.9 per 100,000 residents
— 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
152.9 /100k
Property Crime
152.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Paynesville is served primarily by Paynesville Area Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Paynesville, MN
National Avg
School District
Paynesville Area Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
27.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Paynesville sees average highs of 20.3°F in January
and 81.6°F in July,
with 29.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 50.2 inches of snow per year.
Paynesville's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Paynesville roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $160,800 and median rent is $694/month.
Paynesville's violent crime rate is 152.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 152.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Paynesville are operated by Paynesville Area Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Paynesville, MN has a population of 2,432, a median household income of $67,768, and an unemployment rate of 3.0%.
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.
Paynesville averages 20.3°F in January and 81.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 29.7 inches
with about 50.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Paynesville, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56362.
The population of Paynesville, Minnesota is 2,432 with a median age of 46.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Paynesville: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $160,800, median household income $67,768, crime index 27 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Paynesville side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
