Pelican Rapids is a small town of 2,589 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,477
and a 2.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Pelican Rapids 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 Pelican Rapids is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Pelican 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: 87.2
Pelican Rapids's overall cost of living index is 87.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Pelican Rapids costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Pelican Rapids, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$175,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$322
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$56,477
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Pelican Rapids's violent crime rate is 77.0 per 100,000 residents
— 80% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
77.0 /100k
Property Crime
153.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Pelican Rapids is served primarily by Pelican Rapids Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Pelican Rapids, MN
National Avg
School District
Pelican Rapids Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
70.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Pelican Rapids sees average highs of 18.2°F in January
and 80.0°F in July,
with 27.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 54.0 inches of snow per year.
Pelican Rapids's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Pelican Rapids roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $175,800 and median rent is $322/month.
Pelican Rapids's violent crime rate is 77.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 153.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Pelican Rapids are operated by Pelican Rapids Public Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1. 14.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Pelican Rapids, MN has a population of 2,589, a median household income of $56,477, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%.
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.
Pelican Rapids averages 18.2°F in January and 80.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 27.7 inches
with about 54.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Pelican Rapids, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56572.
The population of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota is 2,589 with a median age of 36.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Pelican Rapids: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $175,800, median household income $56,477, crime index 15 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Pelican Rapids side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
