Oakdale, MN vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Oakdale
73
#800 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Oakdale leads in median household income ($86,003 vs $32,877). Oakdale leads in crime level (5.0 vs 11.7). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 24.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakdale, MN | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73 (#800) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 28,226 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,617 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $86,003 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 24.2 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 21 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 5.0 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | R+25.4 |
C
73 Score
Oakdale, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$360,617
Population
28,226
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
21
Midwest
View Oakdale, MN →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →