Clara City, MN vs Park Rapids, MN

Clara City, MN and Park Rapids, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Clara City scores 75 while Park Rapids scores 79 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 Clara City is $1,063/month compared to $912/month in Park Rapids — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Park Rapids has cheaper rent, Clara City actually has lower median home values ($116,500 vs $218,500).

Median household income in Clara City is $58,431 compared to $45,800 in Park Rapids (+27.6%). Clara City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clara City spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Park Rapids.