St. Joseph 80 Exceptional
St. Joseph Livability #70 ranked city in Minnesota#1,714 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in St. Joseph

PROS
  • 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.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • 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
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in St. Joseph?

St. Joseph, Minnesota is a smaller city with a population of 7,722 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (91% White). Given that fact, St. Joseph could be considered less diverse than other cities. The median age of all St. Joseph residents is 27, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. St. Joseph is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 38%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in St. Joseph. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in St. Joseph, Minnesota. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in St. Joseph and in the areas around St. Joseph is a much easier task.

St. Joseph has a livability score of 79 out of 100 and is ranked #68 in Minnesota and #1,800 in the USA. This is a fantastic score, as St. Joseph ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that St. Joseph ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that St. Joseph ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (B-), education (B), employment (A) and housing (A+). St. Joseph does not fare well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category 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. St. Joseph gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 119 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In St. Joseph, the unemployment rate stands at 2.3%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in St. Joseph can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in St. Joseph are simply unattainable. The median home price for St. Joseph homes is $305,100, which is 10% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. Joseph, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 18.9% lower than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Joseph

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      St. Joseph transportation information

      Statistic St. Joseph Minnesota National
      Average one way commute19min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.0%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.0%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.5%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk11.5%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home5.8%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The St. Joseph, 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.