Oakdale 76 Excellent
Oakdale Livability #173 ranked city in Minnesota#3,707 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Oakdale

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Oakdale?

Oakdale is a mid-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 28,648 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Oakdale is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Oakdale, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Oakdale is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Minnesota, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Oakdale and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Minnesota and national averages.

The livability score in Oakdale is 74/100 and the city is ranked in the 86th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Oakdale has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B-), education (B-), employment (A) and housing (A+). Oakdale does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 181 crimes per 100,000 residents, Oakdale has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Oakdale apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that Oakdale meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Oakdale. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Oakdale are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Oakdale come in at $413,248, which is 21.9% higher than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oakdale, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 0% lower than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Oakdale

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Compare Oakdale, MN Livability

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      Oakdale transportation information

      Statistic Oakdale Minnesota National
      Average one way commute23min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.0%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.2%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home8.0%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Oakdale, 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.