Crookston, MN vs Forest Lake, MN

The cost of living difference between Crookston, MN and Forest Lake, MN is dramatic. Crookston is 37.4% cheaper than Forest Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Crookston has a cost index of 68 while Forest Lake sits at 109, 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 $1,379/month in Forest Lake — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crookston is more affordable at $160,700 median vs $375,900.

Median household income in Crookston is $54,003 compared to $89,879 in Forest Lake (-39.9%). While Forest Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Crookston spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Forest Lake.