Buffalo Lake, MN vs Tracy, MN

Tracy is moderately more affordable than Buffalo Lake, with a 11% lower cost of living index. Buffalo Lake scores 65 compared to 59 for Tracy, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Buffalo Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Buffalo Lake is $763/month compared to $536/month in Tracy — a 42% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tracy has cheaper rent, Buffalo Lake actually has lower median home values ($106,000 vs $110,900).

Median household income in Buffalo Lake is $56,719 compared to $60,682 in Tracy (-6.5%). Tracy offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Buffalo Lake spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Tracy.