Carlton, MN vs Lake Crystal, MN

Lake Crystal is moderately more affordable than Carlton, with a 13.6% lower cost of living index. Carlton scores 75 compared to 66 for Lake Crystal, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Carlton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlton is $914/month compared to $644/month in Lake Crystal — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Crystal is more affordable at $193,800 median vs $205,300.

Median household income in Carlton is $61,944 compared to $77,979 in Lake Crystal (-20.6%). Lake Crystal offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlton spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, more than the 9.9% in Lake Crystal.