Plainview 81 Exceptional
Plainview Livability #56 ranked city in Minnesota#1,363 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Plainview

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    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 Crime

    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.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    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.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this 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.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Plainview?

Plainview, Minnesota is a smaller city with a population of 3,395 people. The majority of Plainview residents report their race to be White; this is followed by American Indian and Alaskan and Black. 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 Plainview, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 25 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Plainview 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. The best areas in Plainview and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, education, employment, 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 Plainview is 79 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 94th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Plainview ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Plainview is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Plainview has received high marks for crime (A+), cost of living (B+), education (A+), employment (B) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Plainview scores poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

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. Plainview gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 56 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Plainview, the average school test scores reached an impressive 66%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Plainview an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

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 Plainview 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.

Plainview real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Plainview. Median real estate prices in Plainview come in at $284,183, which is 16.2% lower than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Plainview, 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 Plainview

See all the best places to live around Plainview

How Do You Rate The Livability In Plainview?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Plainview, MN Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      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.

      Local Insights Report

      Plainview transportation information

      Statistic Plainview Minnesota National
      Average one way commute25min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.9%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.2%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.2%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home3.6%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Plainview, 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.