Owatonna, Minnesota
Among the top 14% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 14% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 67% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B+, better than 71% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 86% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 52% of US places
- top 5% for commute time
- top 16% for school quality
- bottom 4% for monthly owner costs
Owatonna is a mid-size city in Minnesota with about 26,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include commute time, school quality, and park & nature access. It rates lower on estimated total tax burden and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Owatonna is $217k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Owatonna is $78k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Owatonna is $925 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Owatonna has a violent crime rate of 758/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Owatonna is 17 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
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warm
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73%49%clearovercast
Precipitation 5.0 in0.9 in
humid 87%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$78k70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$47kbetter than 48% of US places
Home Value$217k64th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$925better than 49% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$8kbetter than 4% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.32%better than 33% of US places
Income Tax9.90%better than 14% of US places
Sales Tax8.04%better than 40% of US places
Estimated total tax burden16.20%better than 14% of US places
Unemployment3.6%better than 53% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)16°F6th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)73°F29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation35.5 in32nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall44.2 inbetter than 18% of US places
Sunny Days235 daysbetter than 53% of US places
Summer Humidity62°Fbetter than 63% of US places
Comfortable Days95 daysbetter than 79% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk64.7better than 51% of US places
Air Quality43 AQIbetter than 67% of US places
School Quality97.2better than 84% of US places
Violent Crime758/100kbetter than 49% of US places
Property Crime1038/100kbetter than 46% of US places
Community
Population26,40095th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.045th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2354th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0054th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2348th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)84.6%49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)4.2%75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)7.3%66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.3%59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.5%58th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 95% of US places
Walkability6.8/20better than 56% of US places
Airport Distance54 mibetter than 65% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.9%better than 53% of US places
Amenities Nearby21.97better than 23% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 82% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Owatonna an affordable place to live?
- Owatonna is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $47k, better than 48% of comparable areas. Median rent is $925.
- Is Owatonna safe?
- Owatonna is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 758/100k (better than 49%). Property crime is 1038/100k.
- What is the weather like in Owatonna?
- Owatonna averages 73°F in July and 16°F in January, with 35.5 in of annual precipitation and about 235 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Owatonna?
- Public-school quality in Owatonna is above average, scoring better than 84% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Owatonna?
- The average one-way commute in Owatonna is 17 min.