Benson 75 Excellent
Benson Livability #189 ranked city in Minnesota#4,068 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Benson

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

What's it like Living in Benson?

Benson, Minnesota is a small-sized city with a population of 3,130 residents. At 94%, the majority of the Benson population is White; this is followed by 3% Black and 1% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Benson is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Benson could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Minnesota if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Benson, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, health & safety and more.

Benson, MN receives 74 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #186 in Minnesota and #4,060 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Benson scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that did not score well in Benson. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F).

The unemployment rate in Benson has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Benson market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Benson. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Benson are affordable. The median home price for Benson homes is $207,286, which is 38.9% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Benson, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 13.5% lower than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Benson

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Benson?

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Compare Benson, MN Livability

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      Benson transportation information

      Statistic Benson Minnesota National
      Average one way commute19min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.9%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.7%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.6%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Benson, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.