Carlton, MN vs Wabasha, MN

Carlton, MN and Wabasha, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Carlton scores 75 while Wabasha scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlton is $914/month compared to $773/month in Wabasha — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wabasha has cheaper rent, Carlton actually has lower median home values ($205,300 vs $212,800).

Median household income in Carlton is $61,944 compared to $62,016 in Wabasha (-0.1%). Wabasha 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 15% in Wabasha.