Clear Lake, MN vs Rock Creek, MN

Clear Lake, MN and Rock Creek, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Clear Lake scores 84 while Rock Creek scores 86 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 Clear Lake is $864/month compared to $841/month in Rock Creek — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rock Creek has cheaper rent, Clear Lake actually has lower median home values ($255,800 vs $294,800).

Median household income in Clear Lake is $105,000 compared to $99,500 in Rock Creek (+5.5%). Clear Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clear Lake spend roughly 9.9% of their income on rent, less than the 10.1% in Rock Creek.