Willow River is a small town of 368 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $47,083
and a 12.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Willow River stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Willow River is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Willow River 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: 93.8
Willow River's overall cost of living index is 93.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Willow River costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Willow River, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$199,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$680
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
70.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,083
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Willow River's violent crime rate is 263.7 per 100,000 residents
— 31% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
263.7 /100k
Property Crime
1190.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Willow River is served primarily by WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Willow River, MN
National Avg
School District
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Willow River sees average highs of 19.8°F in January
and 80.2°F in July,
with 31.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 64.3 inches of snow per year.
Willow River's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Willow River roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $199,000 and median rent is $680/month.
Willow River's violent crime rate is 263.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1190.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Willow River are operated by WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1. 11.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Willow River, MN has a population of 368, a median household income of $47,083, and an unemployment rate of 12.4%.
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.
Willow River averages 19.8°F in January and 80.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 31.5 inches
with about 64.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Willow River, Minnesota is 368 with a median age of 36.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Willow River: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $199,000, median household income $47,083, crime index 64 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Willow River side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
