River Falls

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River Falls, WI Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,207

Population

16,276

Renter Mix

40% Rent

A small college community just minutes from the Twin Cities.

Suburb Commuter Twin Cities Schools Affordable Arts Fishing College

Tucked along the banks of the Kinnickinnic River in northwest Wisconsin, River Falls blends outdoor adventure with small-city charm just 30 minutes east of Saint Paul. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls anchors the community, fueling a vibrant arts and music scene that punches above the city's weight. Hoffman Park offers picnics and hiking, while the Kinnickinnic River draws fly-fishing enthusiasts from across the region. Downtown features a walkable stretch of locally owned shops and eateries, with easy freeway access putting the Twin Cities' dining, sports, and culture within reach.

The rental market reflects the city's compact scale. Renters find apartment communities, townhomes, and multi-unit residences near campus or in quieter residential areas. Options range from studios to spacious multi-bedroom layouts for roommates or those wanting extra space. River Falls hosts the Fall Festival annually—a community tradition filling downtown with live music, local vendors, and neighborhood energy that makes small cities feel just right.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$73,345

Average: $94,415

Education

5,285

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

8,914

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

31 Years

Largest Age Group

20-29 Years

Approximately 24% of Residents

Under 20

24%

Over 65

14%

Housing Distribution

River Falls has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
40%
Non-Renters
60%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
27%
Other Education
73%

Rent Trends

As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in River Falls, WI is $1,289 for a studio, $1,207 for one bedroom, $1,328 for two bedrooms, and $1,730 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in River Falls has increased by 5.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,207/month
709 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,190/month
1,718 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in River Falls, WI

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

40 / 100

Schools

River Falls Public Montessori Academy

Public

Grades PK-5

190 Students

Westside Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

408 Students

Rocky Branch Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

428 Students

Greenwood Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

392 Students

Meyer Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

738 Students

River Falls High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,112 Students

Renaissance Charter Academy

Public

Grades 9-12

51 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Kinnickinnic State Park
  • Saint Croix National Scenic River
  • Afton State Park
  • Afton Alps

Airports

  • Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain

Top Apartments in River Falls

Houses for Rent in River Falls

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.