Battle Lake, MN vs Wells, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Wells is 27.5% cheaper than Battle Lake. With a cost index of 62 vs 80, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Wells to Battle Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Battle Lake is $920/month compared to $699/month in Wells — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wells is more affordable at $93,200 median vs $221,000.

Median household income in Battle Lake is $58,125 compared to $58,663 in Wells (-0.9%). Wells offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Battle Lake spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 14.3% in Wells.