Very AffordableSafer than AverageRED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Median Income
$52,929
household / year
Median Home Value
$137,800
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$483
gross / month
Cost of Living
89
national avg = 100
Is Red Lake, MN a Good Place to Live?
Red Lake is a small town of 1,435 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $52,929
and a 19.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Red Lake 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 Red Lake is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Red Lake 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
Red Lake's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Red Lake costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Red Lake, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$137,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$483
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
51.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$52,929
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Red Lake's violent crime rate is 385.7 per 100,000 residents
— 1% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
385.7 /100k
Property Crime
1979.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Red Lake is served primarily by RED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Red Lake, MN
National Avg
School District
RED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
3.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Red Lake sees average highs of 16.0°F in January
and 76.6°F in July,
with 22.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 48.9 inches of snow per year.
Red Lake's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Red Lake roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $137,800 and median rent is $483/month.
Red Lake's violent crime rate is 385.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1979.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Red Lake are operated by RED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 3.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Red Lake, MN has a population of 1,435, a median household income of $52,929, and an unemployment rate of 19.2%.
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.
Red Lake averages 16.0°F in January and 76.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 22.8 inches
with about 48.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Red Lake, Minnesota is 1,435 with a median age of 31.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Red Lake: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $137,800, median household income $52,929, crime index 99 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Red Lake side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.