Ada, MN vs Karlstad, MN

Ada, MN and Karlstad, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Ada scores 66 while Karlstad scores 63 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ada is $697/month compared to $650/month in Karlstad — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Karlstad is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $140,500.

Median household income in Ada is $67,857 compared to $61,324 in Karlstad (+10.7%). While Ada is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ada spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 12.7% in Karlstad.