Caledonia, MN vs Waite Park, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Caledonia is 16.3% cheaper than Waite Park. With a cost index of 68 vs 82, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Caledonia to Waite Park should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Caledonia is $804/month compared to $1,072/month in Waite Park — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Caledonia is more affordable at $148,500 median vs $217,000.

Median household income in Caledonia is $69,792 compared to $56,884 in Waite Park (+22.7%). Caledonia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Caledonia spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Waite Park.