Crookston, MN vs Lake Crystal, MN

Crookston, MN and Lake Crystal, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Crookston scores 68 while Lake Crystal scores 66 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 Crookston is $827/month compared to $644/month in Lake Crystal — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Crystal has cheaper rent, Crookston actually has lower median home values ($160,700 vs $193,800).

Median household income in Crookston is $54,003 compared to $77,979 in Lake Crystal (-30.7%). Lake Crystal offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Crookston spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 9.9% in Lake Crystal.