Waite Park is a small town of 8,290 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $52,391
and a 5.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Waite Park stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Waite Park is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Waite Park 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
Waite Park's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Waite Park costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Waite Park, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$201,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,023
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$52,391
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Waite Park's violent crime rate is 130.8 per 100,000 residents
— 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
130.8 /100k
Property Crime
4100.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Waite Park 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
Waite Park, 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
17.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Waite Park sees average highs of 20.8°F in January
and 80.9°F in July,
with 30.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 57.4 inches of snow per year.
Waite Park's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Waite Park roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $201,200 and median rent is $1,023/month.
Waite Park's violent crime rate is 130.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 4100.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Waite Park 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. 17.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Waite Park, MN has a population of 8,290, a median household income of $52,391, and an unemployment rate of 5.5%.
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.
Waite Park averages 20.8°F in January and 80.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 30.3 inches
with about 57.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Waite Park, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 56387.
The population of Waite Park, Minnesota is 8,290 with a median age of 40.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Waite Park: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $201,200, median household income $52,391, 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 Waite Park side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
