Babbitt, MN vs Rice Lake, MN

The cost of living difference between Babbitt, MN and Rice Lake, MN is dramatic. Babbitt is 35.8% cheaper than Rice Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Babbitt has a cost index of 60 while Rice Lake sits at 94, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Babbitt is $726/month compared to $1,328/month in Rice Lake — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Babbitt is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $283,700.

Median household income in Babbitt is $54,318 compared to $95,347 in Rice Lake (-43%). While Rice Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Babbitt spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Rice Lake.