
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
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.
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
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.
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.
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Located in the state of Minnesota, Paynesville is a small-sized city with a population of 2,578 people. At 90%, the majority of the Paynesville population is White; this is followed by 1% Asian and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Paynesville. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Paynesville could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Minnesota if you know where to look. 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 Paynesville, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, housing and more.
Using data and statistics Paynesville has received a livability score of 76/100. This score is ranked in the 88th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Paynesville is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Paynesville scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A-) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Paynesville. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).
Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Paynesville gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 153 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Paynesville excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Paynesville. 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 Paynesville are affordable. The median home price for Paynesville homes is $228,393, which is 32.6% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Paynesville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 24.3% lower than the Minnesota average.

Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Paynesville | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.2% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.4% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.1% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.1% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.8% | 5.3% | 4.6% |