Crookston, MN vs Crosslake, MN

The cost of living difference between Crookston, MN and Crosslake, MN is dramatic. Crookston is 38.7% cheaper than Crosslake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Crookston has a cost index of 68 while Crosslake sits at 111, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Crookston is $827/month compared to $1,105/month in Crosslake — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crookston is more affordable at $160,700 median vs $540,200.

Median household income in Crookston is $54,003 compared to $85,000 in Crosslake (-36.5%). The higher salaries in Crosslake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Crookston spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in Crosslake.