Crookston, MN vs Paynesville, MN

Crookston, MN and Paynesville, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Crookston scores 68 while Paynesville scores 69 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 $791/month in Paynesville — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Paynesville has cheaper rent, Crookston actually has lower median home values ($160,700 vs $168,800).

Median household income in Crookston is $54,003 compared to $72,105 in Paynesville (-25.1%). While Paynesville 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, more than the 13.2% in Paynesville.