What it's like to live in River Falls
River Falls is a small city in Wisconsin with rent below the national average, county unemployment below the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. River Falls deals with cold, harsh winters, snowy winters, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Low unemployment in the county
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- Cold, harsh winters
- Snowy winters — 50" per year
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How River Falls compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to River Falls
Based on River Falls's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,214
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $44,280 a year
- 32% of River Falls renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$65,520
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $32,760
- Homes cost 3.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 22% below US
$1,107/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,107 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $327,600. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $327,600 · 32% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
3.7% county unemployment
Unemployment in Pierce County is 3.7%, a little below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Pierce County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 65% below US
115 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 472/100k · River Falls Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 15% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 79°F, and winters are cold and harsh, with lows dropping to 8°F.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 5.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 25% above US
45% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 45% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
9 public schools inside the boundary
There are 9 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1, close to the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (24 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
River Falls's strongest points are rent below the national average and county unemployment below the national average; the main tradeoffs are cold, harsh winters and snowy winters. A year of median rent ($1,107/mo) equals 16% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, anyone prioritizing low crime, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for anyone who dislikes long, cold winters.
Other places near River Falls
All Wisconsin guides →Moving to New Richmond →
19 mi away · pop. 10,539
Rent $1,168/mo · Income $88,157
Compare with River Falls →Moving to Menomonie →
35 mi away · pop. 16,539
Rent $970/mo · Income $56,889
Compare with River Falls →Moving to Eau Claire →
55 mi away · pop. 70,322
Rent $1,045/mo · Income $67,395
Compare with River Falls →Not sure River Falls is the one?
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