Willmar 73 Excellent
Willmar Livability #233 ranked city in Minnesota#4,984 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Willmar

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.

  • 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 Willmar?

Willmar is a mid-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 20,156 residents. At 76%, the majority of the Willmar population is White; this is followed by 10% Black and 1% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Willmar offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 12 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Willmar, 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, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Willmar and in the areas around Willmar is a much easier task.

The livability score in Willmar is 72 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 80th percentile of all cities across America. Based on the scores for each individual category, Willmar has received high marks for cost of living (B+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Willmar. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Willmar has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Willmar 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 Willmar. Median real estate prices in Willmar come in at $248,836, which is 26.6% lower than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Willmar, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 10.8% lower than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Willmar

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Compare Willmar, MN Livability

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      Willmar transportation information

      Statistic Willmar Minnesota National
      Average one way commute12min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.7%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.9%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.5%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home5.1%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Willmar, 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.