Very AffordableNear National AverageST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Downtown St Cloud (cropped) · McGhiever / CC BY-SA 4.0Clemens Gardens · Kirs10 / Public domainSt Cloud Public Library facade · Skvader / CC BY-SA 4.0St Cloud State University's Lawrence Hall (cropped) · Ryan Herrboldt / CC BY-SA 4.0
St. Cloud is a mid-sized city of 68,910 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $58,910
and a 7.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
St. Cloud stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether St. Cloud is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All St. Cloud 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
St. Cloud's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in St. Cloud costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
St. Cloud, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$189,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$944
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
48.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$58,910
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
St. Cloud's violent crime rate is 408.4 per 100,000 residents
— 7% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
408.4 /100k
Property Crime
2915.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
St. Cloud is served primarily by ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
St. Cloud, MN
National Avg
School District
ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
7
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
11
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
St. Cloud sees average highs of 20.7°F in January
and 81.6°F in July,
with 30.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 47.9 inches of snow per year.
St. Cloud's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes St. Cloud roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $189,600 and median rent is $944/month.
St. Cloud's violent crime rate is 408.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2915.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in St. Cloud are operated by ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 7 elementary, 2 middle, and 11 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
St. Cloud, MN has a population of 68,910, a median household income of $58,910, and an unemployment rate of 7.1%.
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.
St. Cloud averages 20.7°F in January and 81.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 30.3 inches
with about 47.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
St. Cloud, MN is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 56301, 56303, 56304.
The population of St. Cloud, Minnesota is 68,910 with a median age of 30.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in St. Cloud: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $189,600, median household income $58,910, crime index 120 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare St. Cloud side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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