Carver, MN vs Ham Lake, MN

Carver, MN and Ham Lake, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Carver scores 112 while Ham Lake scores 112 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 Carver is $1,347/month compared to $1,319/month in Ham Lake — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ham Lake has cheaper rent, Carver actually has lower median home values ($427,600 vs $430,100).

Median household income in Carver is $144,408 compared to $116,845 in Ham Lake (+23.6%). While Carver is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carver spend roughly 11.2% of their income on rent, less than the 13.5% in Ham Lake.