Cass Lake, MN vs Dawson, MN

Cass Lake, MN and Dawson, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Cass Lake scores 65 while Dawson scores 62 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 Cass Lake is $730/month compared to $618/month in Dawson — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dawson has cheaper rent, Cass Lake actually has lower median home values ($109,100 vs $118,800).

Median household income in Cass Lake is $47,045 compared to $70,286 in Dawson (-33.1%). Dawson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cass Lake spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Dawson.