St. Cloud 85 Exceptional
St. Cloud Livability #17 ranked city in Minnesota#512 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% 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 St. Cloud

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

What's it like Living in St. Cloud?

St. Cloud, Minnesota is a medium-sized city with a population of 69,805 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 73% of St. Cloud residents are White, 17% Black and 3% Asian. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all St. Cloud residents is 31. St. Cloud is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 42%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, St. Cloud 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 relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in St. Cloud 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. Finding the best places to live in St. Cloud and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, health & safety, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 83/100, St. Cloud is ranked #832 in the United States and #25 in Minnesota. Compared to the United States average, St. Cloud ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! St. Cloud has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that St. Cloud has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (B) and housing (A+). There are some categories that St. Cloud scores poorly for, including: crime (F) and employment (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

St. Cloud has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that St. Cloud has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.

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 St. Cloud 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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in St. Cloud is actually affordable. The median home price for St. Cloud homes is $283,361, which is 16.4% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. Cloud, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 2.7% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Cloud

See all the best places to live around St. Cloud

How Do You Rate The Livability In St. Cloud?

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 St. Cloud, 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

      St. Cloud transportation information

      Statistic St. Cloud Minnesota National
      Average one way commute19min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.3%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.7%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.4%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.9%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.0%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The St. Cloud, 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.