Rows tagged local are specific to River Falls (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Minneapolis, MN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district River Falls School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
104.3
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
104.5
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.93
metro-area
#167 of 200 metros
Median household income
$72,247
local
#2130 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$23,134
local
#3173 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.8 years
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
44.9%
metro-area
#16 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
10.7%
metro-area
#68 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
70.9%
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.25%
local
#605 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+6.0%
local
#1131 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$274,900
local
#1197 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.8×
local
#1547 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.1%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$162
local
#1361 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,004
local
#440 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
11,577
Median days on market
17
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.9%
state
#154 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.43%
state
#114 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
7.65%
Capital gains tax
7.65%
state
#163 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.63%
local
#2451 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$4,479
local
#1996 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
79.7 years
metro-area
#27 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
5.1%
metro-area
#21 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
88
metro-area
#42 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$13,000
state
#150 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$85
state
#135 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#161 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
22 min
local
#564 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
67.8%
metro-area
#30 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
33.3%
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
19.2¢/kWh
state
#81 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$173
state
#81 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#57 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#137 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$42
state
#34 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$85
state
#121 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#129 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
86.1 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#74 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
47
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
92%
state
#64 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
8,000
metro-area
#197 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
11
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
4°F
metro-area
#198 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
31.6"
metro-area
#48 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
51.2"
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
4b
Frost window
05-20 → 09-25
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
320
state
#21 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#63 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
54
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Parks
72
Hiking areas
9
Golf courses
18
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
21
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.